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.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…