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.
Renewed interest from China saw the finer types well supported in the combined North and South Island wool sales comprising 15,200 bales, NZ Wool Services International Ltd's, general manager, John Dawson reports.
The coarser wools were generally firm to slightly easier. With the better tone, 62% of the offering sold. The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies eased by 0.76% compared to the last sale on July 19.
Dawson advises that Mid Micron wools, 25.5 to 31.5 micron, were firm to 3% dearer. Fine Crossbred 33 to 35 micron 2 to 4 inches and longer were firm to 8% dearer with the 3 to 4 inch bracket appreciating the most. The 2 to 3 inch types were the only area to weaken, by up to 3%.
Crossbred Fleece 36 microns and coarser were firm to 3% easier. Coarse Shears were 1 to 3% cheaper except the 3 to 4 inch bracket which came back 3 to 5%.
First Lambs attracted good competition with the longer types 4 to 7% stronger and shorter types firm to 2.5% dearer.
Long Coarse Oddments were firm overall with the short types firm to 4% dearer.
Well spread activity with China principals supported by Western Europe, India and the Middle East.
The next sale on August 2 comprises about 8250 bales from the South Island.
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