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The 5100 bales of South Island wools on offer this week through the Wool Services International auction saw strong competition and a 90.5% clearance.
The weaker NZ dollar compared to last sale on October 29 aided local prices, with the weighted currency indicator down 1.43%, says WSI marketing executive, Malcolm Ching.
Ching says the less stylish merino fleece compared to the last time offered on October 22 saw the 19.5 micron and finer wools up to 6% cheaper with 20 to 23.5 microns up to 3% firmer.
Mid micron fleece 24 to 26 microns was 1 to 4% dearer with 27 to 29.5 microns strongly contested, lifting 8%.
Compared to the North Island sale on October 29, fine crossbred fleece 32 to 35 microns was 3 to 6% dearer with shear types 1.5 to 5% dearer. Coarse full fleece was 4 to 5% stronger with 3 to 5 and 3 to 4 inch shears 1.5 to 3% firmer. Shorter types eased by 1.5%. Long oddments were 4 to 6% dearer with shorter types 1 to 5% dearer.
There was good competition with China and Western Europe supporting the fine wool sector, China dominating the fine crossbreds and Australasia strongly supporting the coarse wools. Limited support came from Western Europe, Middle East and India.
The next sale on November 12 comprises about 5100 bales from the North Island.
While wool returns continue in the doldrums, smart sheep farmers are looking for alternatives for a product that currently cost more to get off a sheep's back than it's worth. One such initiative is run by husband and wife team Hayden and Anastasia Tristram who farm at Wanstead in the Central Hawke's Bay. Mark Daniel reports.
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