Wool pellets to boost gardens
With wool prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.
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.
A leading farm consultant says it's likely the dairy season in the Waikato will come to a premature end because of the drought.
Dairy farming siblings Manoj Kumar and Sumit Kamboj's message to other immigrants is simple - work hard and you will be rewarded.
Last season was a mixed bag for Waikato contractors, with early planted forage maize, planted on the dry soils around Cambridge, doing badly after germination and failing to meet potential, says Jeremy Rothery, Jackson Contracting.
A marked turnaround in the financial performance of Canterbury milk company Synlait has halted a threatening exodus of farmer suppliers.
Unnecessary box ticking and red tape are set to go under the Government's new RMA reforms - much to the delight of farmers.
An Auckland man who illegally killed and sold pigs and a chicken has been fined $8,000.