Wool campaign making strides
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
The 7400 bales on offer in the North Island today saw strong demand due to the lack of wool as a result of drought and in particular in the South Island wet weather conditions delaying shearing.
New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager John Dawson says the weighted indicator to the main currencies is unchanged compared to last South Island wool sale.
A reasonable offering of fine crossbred early shorn and second shear 3 to 5 inch and 3 to 4 inch wool of 35 and 36 micron were fully 4% dearer, whilst the shorter 2 to 4 and 2 to 3 inch were only 1% dearer.
Coarse crossbred fleece was 3 to 4% dearer. Coarse crossbred early shorn and second shear 3 to 5 and 3 to 4 inch were fully 3 to 4% dearer, with the shorter 2 to 4 and 2 to 3 inch 1% dearer.
A limited offering of lambs' wool was 2.5% dearer. Combing oddments which were of limited offering were 5% dearer, whilst a good selection of clothing oddments were firm.
Strong competition with China, Australasia Carpet Mills, Europe and the Indian continent.
The next sale on June 27 comprises about 13,000 bales from the North Island and 9500 bales from the South Island.
A year on and the problems created by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle has largely dropped off the radar of media and politicians.
The European Union Ambassador says the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the bloc and New Zealand will bring significant benefits to both parties.
Less Wellington bureucracy and more local, on-farm common sense was the focus of recent meetings held in South Canterbury as part of the Government's National Woolshed tour program.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.
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