Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
Despite a strengthening NZ dollar, the varied selection at this week's South Island auction attracted strong support.
Despite a strengthening NZ dollar, the varied selection at this week's South Island auction attracted strong support.
New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's chief executive John Dawson reports that of the 7700 bales on offer 85% sold.
The weighted currency indicator was up 2.06% compared to the previous week's auction.
Dawson advises a selection ranging from 21 micron merinos to 42 micron coarse wools with a cross section of styles and lengths provided attractive options to buyers which overrode the possible negative impact of the stronger dollar compared to the similar South Island offering on July 14.
Mid micron fleece were well supported with increased Chinese interest, lifting 4 to 12%.
Fine crossbred fleece and shears were 2 to 3% firmer. Coarse crossbred full fleece lifted 3% for all styles with coarse shears ranging from firm to 3.5% dearer. Oddments were up 3 to 5%.
Where comparable to last week's North Island auction, levels are 4 to 7% higher.
Good competition with Australasia, Western Europe and China principals, supported by Middle East, India and United Kingdom.
The next sale on August 4 comprises about 5000 bales from the South Island.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
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Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
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