Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The ongoing fallout from the Brexit result, continued minimal activity from China and a strong New Zealand dollar have compounded to make significant inroads into local wool values.
New Zealand Wool Services International chief executive John Dawson reports the weighted currency indicator compared to last sale lifted 0.66%, however against the GBP the New Zealand dollar strengthened a further 4.4% making a shift of over 13% since the Brexit announcement.
Market sentiment is bearish as many clients take a cautious approach during this unsettled period.
Of the 7500 bales on offer, only 54% sold as buyers become very selective, only covering immediate requirements.
Dawson advises that compared to last sale on June 30:
• Fine crossbred shears were 7 to 10% cheaper.
• A nominal selection of average style coarse full length fleece were 1 to 2% easier with poor style 9% cheaper.
• Coarse early shorn and second shears which made up 62% of the offering were 5.5 to 10% cheaper, with the shorter wools affected the most.
• Coarse Oddments were 3 to 7% easier.
Activity was restricted with exporters only covering requirements for prompt shipment mainly for Australasia and the Middle East, with limited activity for Western Europe, China and India.
Next sale on July 14 comprises about 5600 bales from the South Island, down on anticipated roster due to poor weather.
Fonterra’s impending exit from the Australian dairy industry is a major event but the story doesn’t change too much for farmers.
Expect greater collaboration between Massey University’s school of Agriculture and Environment and Ireland’s leading agriculture university, the University College of Dublin (UCD), in the future.
A partnership between Torere Macadamias Ltd and the Riddet Institute aims to unlock value from macadamia nuts while growing the next generation of Māori agribusiness researchers.
A new partnership between Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) and NZAgbiz aims to make evidence-based calf rearing practices accessible to all farm teams.
Despite some trying circumstances recently, the cherry season looks set to emerge on top of things.
Changed logos on shirts otherwise it will be business as usual when Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses are expected to change hands next month.