Wool pellets to boost gardens
With wool prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.
The market held up fairly well for the last of the larger offerings of this season with 22,700 bales on offer and an 84% clearance, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies compared to the last sale on March 15 was practically unchanged, strengthening only 0.06%.
The price levels between the North and South Island selling centres reflects the larger volumes coming forward in the north and although prices lifted considerably compared to their last sale on March 8, the North Island prices are still generally below their counterparts in the south.
Dawson advises that Fine Crossbred Fleece and Shears were firm to 2% stronger. Good Colour Crossbred Fleece eased slightly with other styles firm to 3% dearer. Longer Coarse Shears ranged from firm to 4% stronger, with shorter shears in the South easing 1 to 2% and the north offering firm to 4% dearer. South Island Lambs were 1 to 2% easier with the North Island selection 2 to 5% stronger.
Oddments ranged from firm to 3.5% dearer with the North Island levels lifting the most.
Well spread competition with China, Australasia, Middle East and India principals supported by Western Europe and United Kingdom.
Next sale on March 29 comprises about 10,900 bales of South Island wools only.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.