New industry body aims to unite and rebuild strong wool industry
A new levying body, currently with the working title of NZWool, has been proposed to secure the future of New Zealand's strong wool sector.
OPINION: Your canine crusader reckons that the people behind the Campaign for Wool are doing God's work in promoting the natural sheep fibre as sustainable, renewable and the next best thing since sliced bread.
There is no doubt they have a tough road to hoe as strong wool prices are now so low that it has become uneconomic for many crossbred wool producers to continue farming.
A mate of the Hound suggests that the Campaign for Wool has a daunting enough job without having an out-of-touch, gormless toff such as Prince Charles as the key figurehead for its programme.
Mind you, he reckons it could be a lot worse... just imagine it the Campaign had hired Chuck's disgraced younger brother, the hapless Prince "Handy Andy" Andrew as its patron!
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.

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