Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The slightly easier New Zealand dollar and increased international demand combined to improve most wool prices this week, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's marketing manager, Paul Steel reports.
Of the 12,100 bales on offer 79% sold.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies dipped 1.2%, helping local price levels.
Steel advises recent lower market levels and slowly reducing stock levels in the manufacturing pipeline have helped stimulate recent buying with China beginning to lift their activity.
Fine mid micron fleece under 28 microns were firm to 3% easier with the coarser end 2 to 4% dearer.
Fine crossbred fleece gained 2 to 3.5% reflecting Chinese interests. Good style coarse crossbred fleece remained firm with average styles firm to 3% dearer.
Coarse shears were generally firm to 1.5% stronger except the 2 to 3 inch wools which lifted 3%.
A nominal offering of first lambs were firm to 1.5% dearer. Oddments came under strong competition lifting 6% for all categories.
Well spread competition with China, India and United Kingdom principals, supported by Western Europe, Australasia and the Middle East.
The next sale on September 6 comprises about 8500 bales from the North 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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