Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The combined North and South Island Wool auction comprising 15,300 bales saw some variation in price levels between types and selling centres compared to last sale on January 31, however overall the market generally steadied, says New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was unchanged with 87% of the offering sold.
Dawson advises steady enquiry and lower than expected wool flow is helping the market to stabilise.
Mid Micron Fleece 28 and 29 micron were up to 2% firmer with 30 micron 1.5% easier. Fine crossbred fleece were generally firm with the second shear types ranging from firm to 4% stronger.
Coarse crossbred fleece varied between Islands with the South up to 1.5% firmer and the North firm to 2% cheaper.
Overall the coarse shears were firm to slightly dearer. Short first lambs were firm in the North and between 1 and 4% easier in the South. Long coarse oddments were 3 to 5% cheaper with short oddments strongly contested lifting between 6 and 13%.
Competition was limited with China the principal supported by India, Europe, Middle East and the United Kingdom. The next sale on February 14 comprises about 7500 bales from the North Island and 6600 bales from the South Island.
Westpac NZ has announced new initiatives that aim to give customers more options to do their banking in person.
New Zealand red meat exports experienced a 29% increase year-on-year in September, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
The head of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity operation, Stuart Anderson, has defended the cost and the need for a Plant Healht and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) being built in Auckland.
BNZ says its new initiative, helping make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking a little easier, is being well received by customers and rural professionals.
The head of Fonterra's R&D facility in Palmerston North is set to literally cross the road and become the new vice chancellor at Massey University.
Allan Freeth, chief executive of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced he is resigning.

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