Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The North Island sale saw prices lift on the back of a weaker New Zealand dollar and steady off-shore interest, NZ Wool Services International Ltd's marketing executive, Paul Steel, reports.
Of the 10,000 bales on offer 97% sold. The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies compared to the last sale on January 15 was down 1.63%.
Steel advises fine crossbred fleece and shears were 1 to 4% dearer.
Coarse crossbred fleece were 1 to 3% stronger with shears generally firm to 2% dearer.
First lambs finer than 27.5 micron came under strong competition, lifting 7% with the balance 1.5 to 2.5% stronger.
Long oddments were 4 to 6% dearer with short good colour oddments firm and poorer styles up 4%.
There was well spread interest with China, India and Australasia dominating, supported by Western Europe, Middle East and the United Kingdom.
The next sale on January 29 comprises about 9,000 bales from the North Island and 12,800 bales from the South.
Coming in at a year-end total at 3088 units, a rise of around 10% over the 2806 total for 2024, the signs are that the New Zealand farm machinery industry is turning the corner after a difficult couple of years.
New Zealand's animal health industry has a new tool addressing a long-standing sustainability issue.
The Government has announced that ACC will be a sponsor of this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
As veterinary student numbers grow to help address New Zealand's national workforce shortge, Massey University's School of Veterinary Science is inviting more veterinary practices to partner in training the next generation of vets.
South Island dairy farmers will soon be able to supply organic milk to Fonterra.
Norwood has announced the opening of a new Tasman dealership at Richmond near Nelson next month.

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