Wool pellets to boost gardens
With wool prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.
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.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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