Beef + Lamb NZ's Lambing Kit Checklist for a Tough Season
With lambing underway in many regions, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is encouraging farmers to put together a wellequipped lambing kit to help minimise lamb losses, particularly in bad weather.
The more varied offering at this weeks' South Island auction saw targeted buying with better demand for the longer wools.
New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's chief executive John Dawson reports that of the 5,800 bales on offer 61% sold, reflecting the general slow-down in new orders coming forward and exporters only buying for immediate requirements.
The continuing strengthening of the New Zealand dollar saw the weighted currency indicator lift 1.87% week on week, limiting market opportunities.
Dawson advises that compared to the South Island sale on June 30, Mid Micron Fleece were 1 to 2.5% cheaper with Fine Crossbred Fleece down 3.5%.
Compared to the North Island sale on July 7, Longer Finer Crossbred Shears were 2 to 4% dearer with shorter shears firm to 1% cheaper.
Coarse Crossbred Full Fleece, good and average styles were 1 to 1.5% easier with poor styles 3 to 5% dearer.
Coarse Second Shears 2 to 4 inches to 3 to 5 inches were 2 to 5% firmer with shorter types firm.
Long Oddments remained firm with good colour short oddments 2 to 4% dearer.
Limited activity with Australasia and Middle East principals, supported by Western Europe, China and India.
Next sale on July 21 comprises about 6,000 bales from the North Island.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.

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