Wednesday, 22 April 2020 08:55

Wool sector remains in limbo

Written by  Pam Tipa
Anderson says for the industry to survive it needs collaboration.  Anderson says for the industry to survive it needs collaboration. 

The wool industry is in limbo waiting to see what the world outlook is like “once countries start resuming normality of some description”.

So says Federated Farmers meat and fibre chairman Miles Anderson.

When you think the crossbred wool industry has hit the bottom; it just gets worse, he told the Rural News.

But a lot of industries are in the same boat right now, he says.  

“People unsure what the future holds for their particular industry because of the coronavirus around the world.

“Hopefully the wool industry will kick back into gear once the lockdown is finished and sales etc can resume as normal. Fingers crossed that prices lift because certainly it is costing people substantial amounts of money to get their sheep shorn compared to the wool cheque that they are getting.”

Even before the lockdown one member told him it cost them $26,000 to shear their sheep and they only got $18,500 for the wool.

“That was a direct reflection of what was happening in China at the time, the fact that the demand for wool at the sales had dropped. 

“Who knows what is going to happen in the future? Every time I think it can’t get worse it does.”

He still hopes something comes out of the Wool Action Group – a subgroup of the Wool Working Group. A report from that group was due to be released by the Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connor in March but has been delayed by the COVID-19 crisis.

Anderson says for the industry to survive it needs collaboration. 

“The growers in the industry need some kind of pathway forward. We were hoping that the report will provide a blueprint perhaps.” 

More like this

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

Farmers back Government pause on RMA plan changes

There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's move to put the brakes on local authorities to do any more work on planning changes ahead of major changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Featured

DairyNZ thanks farm staff

August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

Why is butter so expensive in New Zealand? Fonterra explains

Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…

NZ vs Aussie beef

OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter