Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The first wool auction of the 2015/16 season saw a 92% clearance with a slightly softer tone, says NZWI general manager, John Dawson.
The auction, which offered 6800 bales, was made up of 80% short second shear wools.
Despite a weaker New Zealand dollar compared to the last sale on June 25, with the weighted currency indicator down 1.96%, the bulk of the offering was firm to 2% easier.
Dawson says that the seasonal slow-down is due to the approach of European vacation period and well-stocked supply lines in China. This is limiting new orders for wool temporarily.
Fine crossbred shears were firm to 2% cheaper.
Good colour coarse fleece were 1.5% down with average style firm to 1% firmer. Poor styles were up to 1% cheaper. Longer coarse shears were firm to 1% dearer with good colour short types firm to 3% dearer.
Oddments ranged from 2% cheaper to 3.5% dearer.
The auction saw good competition, with exporters continuing to cover orders mainly destined to China, Australasia and Western Europe, supported by India, United Kingdom and the Middle East.
The next sale on July 16 comprises about 7800 bales from the South Island.
Coming in at a year-end total at 3088 units, a rise of around 10% over the 2806 total for 2024, the signs are that the New Zealand farm machinery industry is turning the corner after a difficult couple of years.
New Zealand's animal health industry has a new tool addressing a long-standing sustainability issue.
The Government has announced that ACC will be a sponsor of this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
As veterinary student numbers grow to help address New Zealand's national workforce shortge, Massey University's School of Veterinary Science is inviting more veterinary practices to partner in training the next generation of vets.
South Island dairy farmers will soon be able to supply organic milk to Fonterra.
Norwood has announced the opening of a new Tasman dealership at Richmond near Nelson next month.

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