Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
Apart from a small selection of mid micron wools, all other types at the South Island sale were between 1 and 4% dearer, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson, says.
Of the 6035 bales on offer, 90% sold. The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was down 2.36% adding strength to local prices.
Dawson advises mid micron fleece were 2.5 to 3.5% cheaper. Fine crossbred fleece were up to 1.5% firmer with shorter types 2 to 4% dearer. Coarse crossbred full fleece were 2 to 3% stronger with shears firm to 2.5% dearer.
Long oddments were 3% stronger with shorter types up to 1.5% firmer.
There was limited competition with China, Australasia and United Kingdom most active, supported by Middle East and India. The next sale on August 29 comprises about 7600 bales from the South Island.
Westpac NZ has announced new initiatives that aim to give customers more options to do their banking in person.
New Zealand red meat exports experienced a 29% increase year-on-year in September, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
The head of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity operation, Stuart Anderson, has defended the cost and the need for a Plant Healht and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) being built in Auckland.
BNZ says its new initiative, helping make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking a little easier, is being well received by customers and rural professionals.
The head of Fonterra's R&D facility in Palmerston North is set to literally cross the road and become the new vice chancellor at Massey University.
Allan Freeth, chief executive of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced he is resigning.

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