Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
A weakening New Zealand dollar and steady offshore buying saw all wool types improve for the latest South Island wool auction, reports NZWSI.
The auction, which offered 9300 bales, saw 87% selling, says NZWSI marketing executive, Malcolm Ching.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currency came down 1.29% compared to the last sale on September 3.
Merino fleece, 21.5 micron and finer, were 5-10% dearer with 22 to 23.5 microns 1- 2% firmer than the last time they sold, on August 27, says Ching.
Mid micron fleece, 24 to 29 micron, were firm to 3.5% dearer with 29.5 to 31.5 3 to 7% stronger.
Compared to the September 3 sale, fine crossbred full fleece and longer shears were 4-6.5% dearer with shorter shears 1-3% firmer.
Coarse crossbred full fleece were 5-7% stronger, longer shears 3- 6% dearer and shorter shears ranged from 1.5- 6% stronger.
Oddments were firm to 4% firmer.
The auction saw strong competition with China the principal, supported by Western Europe, Australasia, Middle East and India.
The next sale has been fixed for September 17 and comprises about 6000 bales from the North Island.
Voting has started for the renewal of DairyNZ's milksolids levy.
The most successful catchment groups in NZ are those that have 'a source to sea' approach.
Associate Agriculture Minister and Manawatu dairy farmer Andrew Hoggard says the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiated with India is not a bad deal and his party, Act, will support it when it goes before Parliament.
Newly released data from Environment Canterbury (ECan) Farm Environment Plan (FEP) audits are showing a dramatic lift in environmental performance across the region.
A solid recovery of global dairy prices this year makes a $9.50/kgMS milk price almost a shoo-in for this season.
As New Zealand marks the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026), industry leaders are challenging the misconception that women only support farming.

OPINION: Here w go: the election date is set for November 7 and the politicians are out of the gate…
OPINION: ECan data was released a few days ago showing Canterbury farmers have made “giant strides on environmental performance”.