Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
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.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.