Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The high volume of short second shears eased slightly at the latest NZ Wool Services International's auction.
The high volume of short second shears eased slightly at the latest NZ Wool Services International's auction compared to the last North Island auction on May 12, says chief executive John Dawson.
Apart from that there were minimal changes.Of the 8,600 bales on offer 88% sold. Currency had minimal impact with the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies down only 0.47% week on week.
Dawson says the listed volumes of fine crossbred longer shears were 1 to 2% dearer with the shorter types firm to 2% easier.
Coarse crossbred fleece were firm to 2.5% dearer. Longer coarse shears were firm to 2% firmer with the high volumes of short shears on offer 1 to 2% easier.
Fine first lambs were firm to 3% dearer with coarse lambs 3 to 4% cheaper. Oddments were firm to 5% easier.
There are now quite disparate price levels between the limited type selection and styles in the North Island and the more varied offering from the South Island making direct comparisons difficult.
There was good competition with Australasia, Western Europe and United Kingdom principal, supported by Middle East, India and China.
The next sale on June 2 comprises about 6,500 bales from the South Island.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

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