Be afraid
OPINION: Your old mate hears some of the recent uptick in farmer confidence has slipped since the political polls started leading a bit to the left, away from the current coalition of National, Act and NZ First.
He's been around a while now, back when the old Wool Board existed, and seen the many machinations that entity evolved into until it was finally disbanded.
Nothing better illustrates the ongoing, slow death of this once magnificent industry than current prices.
A mate of the Hound's recently received a gross valuation for 38 bales of his crossbred fleece - at an average weight of 181kg each - of just over $6,200, which still had handling fees and other costs to be charged of around 18 cents/kg or around $1,200.
This means he will net around $5,000.
However, the problem is it cost him $16,000 to shear the sheep!
No wonder farmers are turning to self-shedding sheep as we are witnessing the death of crossbred wool sheep farming in this country!
