Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
THE NORTH Island sale saw wool prices continue their upward trend, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
With interest still continuing from China and pressure for exporters to meet shipping requirements, wool prices climbed to higher levels than expected.
The trade weighted currency index moved from 0.7269 to 0.7071 down 2.72%. This also contributed to today's lift.
Compared to the last North Island Sale on the September 18 a nominal offering of coarser crossbred fleece was 4% dearer.
Fine crossbred fleece 34 and 35 micron 4 to 6 inch rose 6 to 7% while 36 micron lifted up by 5%.
Fine crossbred early shorn and second shear 32 and 33 micron 3 to 5 inch rose by 2.5%, 33.5 to 36 micron 3 to 5 inch was 5% dearer, 31 to 36 micron 3 to 4, 2 to 4 and 2 to 3 inch were 5 to 7% dearer while 34 to 36 micron 2 to 4 inch rose 12%.
Coarse crossbred early shorn and second shear 38 micron and coarser 3 to 4 and 2 to 4 inch climbed 9%.
Crossbred combing oddments remained firm while clothing oddments, average style were 2.5% dearer and poor style 6.5% dearer.
The next sale on the October 9 comprises about 8900 bales from the South Island.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
When it comes to annual rebates, it's been a long time between drinks for Ravensdown shareholders.
Special courses for secondary school teachers to help excite kids about agriculture and horticulture are now being run at Massey University.
Running a tight and self-contained ship is the key to the success of the country's largest dairy farmer, says Blair Robinson, the new man at the helm of Dairy Holdings.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…