Our primary sector is evolving at an ever-increasing rate. Farming today is very different from say, 20 years ago.

Comparative market reporting based on the radically disparate volumes and types on offer between alternate weeks offerings of North and South Island wools is becoming increasingly difficult, says New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson.

DEMAND FROM China will still probably keep the primary sector buoyant despite world volatility. That’s the key message from a number of industry leaders and economists at last week’s National Fieldays

THE GROWTH of our economy and our major primary biological exports are threatened by ongoing leaks in our borders to incursions of dangerous pests and diseases.

ProWein is considered by many to be one of the most important international wine fairs and this year it attracted over 40,000 visitors from right across Europe, and even as far afield as Russia and China.

For growers the end of harvest means they will be contemplating the financial result from the year's work. For most, the news will not be good. Low yields and grape prices mean most growers will not have fared well in the past 12 months. Ironically the cause of the tough times this year is not too many grapes, but not enough.

Funds left over from wool levies collected by Meat & Wool New Zealand – now Beef + Lamb New Zealand - have supported the development of a new fabric that blends waste rice straw and New Zealand strong wool.

AUSTRALIA IS buying New Zealand stock in its struggle to keep up with demand for export heifers particularly to China.

Primary sector export revenue is expected to decline in 2012/13, a Ministry for Primary Industries report shows.

When compared to last weeks sale in the North Island, wool was generally dearer at yesterday's sale despite a slight increase in the NZ dollar.