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 12,500 BALES of North Island wool on offer this week generally lifted to come into line with South Island levels. There was a 93% clearance rate, says New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson, says.
Compared to the last sale on December 19 the currency indicator firmed by 0.45% having minimal impact on the market.
Dawson advises the first sale after the Christmas break was well supported assisted by the cancellation of the rostered South Island sale and limited anticipated volumes available next week.
Fine crossbred fleece and shears of good and poor colour were firm to 1% dearer with average styles lifting 5%. Coarse crossbred fleece of good and poor colour were up 2 to 3% with average styles 5% stronger.
Coarse shears were generally 1 to 2% firmer except average style 3 to 5 inches and better style 3 to 4 inches 5 to 7% dearer. Short first lambs fleece remained firm. Long oddments were 1% firmer with short oddments firm to 4% easier.
There was limited competition with China and Australasia dominating, supported by Western Europe, Middle East and India.
The next sale on January 16 comprises about 10,300 bales from the North Island and 7600 bales from the South Island.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.