Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
PRICES REMAINED firm overall at the South Island wool sale this week, says WSI general manager, John Dawson.
The trade weighted market indicator strengthened from 0.7070 to 0.7163 but prices still remained solid. The higher than normal pass rate reflected mainly Merino types not meeting grower reserves.
Compared to September 112014 Merino fleece 17 and 18 micron was 3 to 4% dearer, 18.5 to 21 micron seller's favour and 22 and 23 micron were 2 to 3% cheaper.
Compared to the wool sale on September 25 2014 Mid Micron fleece 24.5 to 30 micron was 5 to 9% dearer.
Compared to the South Island sale on the October 2, 2014 fine crossbred fleece 32 to 36 micron was firm to 2.5% dearer.
Coarse crossbred fleece remained firm. Fine crossbred early shorn and second shear 32 to 36 micron 3 to 5 inch was generally firm to buyers favour, 3 to 4 and 2 to 4 inch was 2% cheaper.
Coarse crossbred early shorn and second shear 3 to 5 inch remained firm while 2 to 4 inch and 2 to 3 inch were 3 to 5% dearer.
A limited offering of crossbred combing oddments were 2% dearer while crossbred clothing oddments were 1 to 2% dearer.
The next sale on the October 16 comprises about 6,600 bales from the North Island.
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.

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