Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
The latest wool auction of 4,700 bales from the North Island saw mixed price movements with a generally steady market overall.
New Zealand Wool Services International general manager, John Dawson says that despite dramatic currency movements in some sectors, the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies eased only 1.53%, having limited impact on local prices.
He says that hand to mouth customer buying activity and limited seasonal wool volumes combined with current exporter shipping requirements, underpins the market presently.
Fine Crossbred Full Fleece and shorter shears were firm to 2.5% easier with longer shears up to 2% dearer.
Good style full Crossbred Fleece were 1% easier, average 1% firmer and poor firm to 1% cheaper.
Coarse Shears were firm to 2% easier with shorter types affected the most.
Long Lambs Fleece were firm to 1% dearer, with shorter types 1 to 3% cheaper. Long Oddments lifted by up to 3% with good colour
Short Oddments 1 to 2% easier and poor styles firm.
The auction saw limited activity with China principal, supported by Australasia, India, Middle East and Western Europe.
The next sale on May 7 comprises about 6700 bales from the South Island, down 32% on anticipated rostered quantities.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.