Getting sheep shape at Pyramid Farm
The vineyards at Pyramid Farm in Marlborough’s Avon Valley have never been run of the mill, with plantings that follow the natural contours of the land, 250 metres above sea level.
New Zealand Wool Services International's chief executive John Dawson says a slightly easier NZ dollar and limited wool volumes combined with steadier enquiry, saw most categories well supported.
Of the 5,700 bales on offer, 92% sold.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies compared to last sale weakened 0.94%, helping underpin local prices.
Dawson advises that compared to the sale on 5th November, Merino Fleece were generally firm to 2% dearer. Mid Micron Fleece were firm to 3% dearer.
Compared to the 12 November sale, Fine Crossbred Fleece were 1 to 4% dearer, longer shears firm to 4% dearer and shorter types firm to 2.5% easier.
Coarse Crossbred Full Fleece were up to 1.5% dearer.
Long Coarse Shears and very short shears eased 1.5% with 3 to 4 and 2 to 4 inch shears firm to 1.5% firmer.
Oddments were 3 to 6% dearer.
Good competition with China principals, supported by Western Europe and Australasia with limited interest from elsewhere.
Next sale on 26November comprises approximately 5,900 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.
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