Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
New Zealand Wool Services International Limited's CEO John Dawson reports that targeted buying saw some types well supported at the North Island auction.
Others either held steady or eased slightly.
Of the 5,000 bales on offer 88% sold. The weaker New Zealand dollar against most of the traded currencies saw the weighted indicator come down 0.80% compared to the last sale on 21st April.
According to Dawson, fine Crossbred Shears were firm to 2% easier. Coarse Crossbred Fleece were firm to 1.5% cheaper. Coarse Crossbred Shears were well supported, ranging from firm to 3% dearer with good styles sought after.
Shorter First Lambs were 1 to 3% easier with long Lambs firm to 4% dearer.
Long Oddments were firm to 1% cheaper with short oddments 2 to 5% dearer.
Next sale on 5th May comprises approximately 4,700 bales from the South Island.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…