Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
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.
State farmer Pamu has delivered its strongest operating result on record.
Four years since it was first detected in New Zealand, researchers and growers now know much more about management of maize pest fall armyworm (FAW).
The Government has announced it will pause key parts of Waikato Plan Change 1 (PC1) in a decision that is set to give Waikato farmers a reprieve from new consenting and farm-planning requirements while the wider resource management system is overhauled.
OPINION: The time has come for the Government to back the organic sector.
Plan ahead and be patient. That’s the message to farmers and horticulturalists from the chairman of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association, Kent Weir.
The industry is crying out for graduates with agricultural related degrees.

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