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.
The 4700 bales on offer saw a 74% clearance with mixed results, however all prices paid locally are still above last week’s North Island auction levels, NZ Wool Services International chief executive John Dawson reports.
The weighted currency indicator is up 0.91% having a slight negative impact .
Dawson advises the market continues to be dominated by very targeted buying with better style wools still attracting most attention.
Compared to the last similar South Island selection on November 17;
Merino fleece were 3.5 to 12% dearer.
Mid Micron fleece saw varied results with specific brackets targeted, ranging from 2% cheaper to 3.5% dearer.
Fine crossbred fleece were 4% dearer.
Coarse full fleece and shears were 1 to 4% easier, however compared to last week’s North Island sale were 1 to 7.5% dearer.
Oddments were 3 to 12% cheaper in the South, but compared to the north were 7 to 10% dearer.
Competition was limited with China principals supported by Western Europe, Australasia and the Middle East.
The next sale on December 8 comprises about 9200 bales from the North Island.
Farmer-owned co-operative Ravensdown is winding down the operations of its agritech subsidiary C-Dax following a long decline in sales.
The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
A Research programme supported by Beef+Lamb NZ is investigating the potential of ‘accelerometer’ sensors for early detection of conditions such as facial eczema (FE) in sheep.
In the past year, the Farmer Time for Schools programme which seeks to connect New Zealand school students with farmers, has experienced further growth.
Fresh Carriers Co. Ltd (FCC) and Zespri have completed the first ever kiwifruit charter powered by a low-emissions fuel.
New Zealand lingerie brand Rose & Thorne is expanding its virtual bra fitting service in an effort to provide rural women in with better access to specialised advice.
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