Wool campaign making strides
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
The North Island wool auction this week remained mostly firm except for the higher volume of shorter shears, which eased, compared to last week.
New Zealand Wool Services International Limited's marketing executive, Paul Steel reports that the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies eased slightly by 0.4% compared to the last sale on 7th May.
Of the 5,500 bales on offer, 98% sold.
Steel says that continued requirement for China saw the Fine Crossbred Shears range from firm to 2.5% dearer. Coarse Crossbred Full Fleece were firm to 2% stronger.
Longer Coarse Shears were 1 to 2.5% firmer with shorter shears, which made up over 50% of the offering, ranging from firm to 2% cheaper.
Long First Lambs fleece remained steady with shorter lamb's wool 1.5 to 2% easier.
Good colour short oddments were 1% cheaper with poor styles firm to 5% lower.
China dominated the auction, supported by Australasia, India, Western Europe and the Middle East.
The next sale on 21st May in the South Island is for approximately 10,000 bales, 4,000 bales above roster. The small volume of previous passed in wools held back by growers is coming forward for sale, attracted by recent improved local price levels.
The European Union Ambassador says the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the bloc and New Zealand will bring significant benefits to both parties.
Less Wellington bureucracy and more local, on-farm common sense was the focus of recent meetings held in South Canterbury as part of the Government's National Woolshed tour program.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says access to personal banking services in rural communities is fundamental to promoting outcomes that benefit Kiwi consumers.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: Readers of this column will know that your old mate has been a long-time critic of $55 million of…
OPINION: The Hound reckons school teachers like nothing better than to complain constantly about how tough things are for them…