Lanaco and Blueair Launch World-First NZ Wool Air Filter
New Zealand wool is reaching new heights as air filtration companies move away from synthetic products to biodegradable alternatives.
Continued shipping pressure for China kept finer crossbreds firm at the latest wool auction however coarse wools eased as volumes available increased, says Paul Steel of NZWSI.
The weighted indicator remained unchanged compared to the last sale on May 21. Of the 8,900 bales on offer, 94% sold.
Steel says that fine crossbred longer shears remained firm with shorter types lifting between 2% and 6%. Good colour coarse fleece were firm to 1.5% easier, average style firm and poor colour 2.5% to 5.5% dearer.
Long coarse shears were firm to 3.5% cheaper with shorter types down 4% to 6%.
Long lambs fleece were 3.5% dearer, 2 to 4 inches up 1% to 2% with shorter types firm to 4% cheaper. Long oddments were 4% to 7% dearer with good colour short oddments 4% dearer and poor colour 3% to 6% easier.
Good competition with China continues to dominate, supported by Australasia, India, Middle East and Western Europe.
The next sale on June 4 comprises about 7,100 bales from the South Island.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.

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