Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
Increased activity from China and India helped lift some wool sector prices significantly for the 11,700 bales on offer this week, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
There was an 88% clearance. The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies strengthened 0.68% with market demand overriding this potentially negative influence.
Dawson says merino fleece followed the Australian market trend over recent sales, increasing 10% to 15%. Mid micron fleece 24.5 to 26 micron was less in demand, easing by 1% to 2% with 26.5 to 31.5 micron firm to 3% stronger.
Fine crossbred full fleece came under strong competition with prices generally 5% to 7.5% dearer. Fine Crossbred 3/5 and 3/4 inch shears were also strongly contested, lifting 6% to 10%. The shorter types barely changed.
Good colour coarse crossbred fleece were 3% to 5% dearer with average styles firm to 2% dearer. Coarse Long Second Shears were 3% to 5% firmer with shorter types generally 5% to 9% stronger.
Strong competition from China and India was supported by Western Europe, Middle East, United Kingdom and Australasia.
The next sale on November 1 comprises a reduced volume of about 6800 bales of North Island wools.
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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