Furore as Kāinga Ora rules out wool carpets
State housing provider, Kāinga Ora’s decision to rule out the use of wool carpets in social housing has been described as a slap in the face by sheep farmers.
NZ Wool Services International's North Island offering of 5400 bales received strong support with 99% selling, chief executive John Dawson says.
A similar currency range to last weeks' sale on November 5 saw the weighted indicator down only 0.16% playing a minor role, with awakening Chinese interests and steady enquiry from other sectors underpinning the market.
Dawson advises fine crossbred full fleece and second shears were firm to 4.5% dearer, with the shorter types supported the most.
Coarse full fleece were also firm with shears 1 to 2.5% stronger.
Oddments were generally firm. There was strong competition with China, Australasia and Western Europe principals, supported by India, Middle East and the United Kingdom.
The next sale on November 19 comprises about 5700 bales from the South Island.
The first phase of a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) investigation into allegations of mistreatment of sheep connected to shearing practices has been completed.
According to Biosecurity New Zealand, legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe will remain in place until mid-February.
The rollout of the New Zealand Genetic Evaluation Version 6 is said to mark a step-change in the depth and breadth of genetic information available to both stud and commercial sheep breeders.
With low wool prices, farmer interest in the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep continues to grow.
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