Editorial: Taming Trump
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.
John Dawson, CEO of NZWSI, reports that the South Island sale this week saw a strong market with steady support.
Of the 9,250 bales on offer, 84.4% sold.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was down 0.72% compared to the last sale on 17th September, helping hold up local price levels.
Dawson advises that in line with other Merino-growing markets, local prices for Merino Fleece 18 to 23.5 microns saw a slight easing. Compared to the last sale on 10th September, prices were 2 to 6% cheaper.
Mid Micron from 24 to 28.5 microns were firm to 1.5% cheaper. Compared to the sale of 17th September, Fine Crossbred Full Fleece were 2.5% firmer and shear types 2 to 4% dearer, with the very short types under the most pressure.
Coarse Fleece were up to 2% firmer with Coarse shears firm to 2% dearer.
Oddments were firm to 2% stronger.
There is still competition with China continuing to dominate, supported by Western Europe, Middle East, Australasia, and very limited activity from India and the United Kingdom.
The next sale on 1st October comprises approximately 6,000 bales from the North Island.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.
OPINION: In the same way that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, economists sometimes get it right.
OPINION: The proposed RMA reforms took a while to drop but were well signaled after the election.