Saibosi partners with Wools of New Zealand to showcase farm-to-floor wool rugs in China
Chinese textile company Saibosi has partnered with Wools of New Zealand to put the 'farm to floor' story of New Zealand wool rugs on screen for its customers.
A combination of factors have given wool cheques a lift and helped to balance sheep farmers' incomes, says Kaikoura wool producer and industry representative Derrick Millton.
New Zealand spinning companies, although relatively small users of wool in this country, are flat out at the moment, says Millton, who is chairman of the Wool Research Organisation of NZ (WRONZ).
The lower dollar is also contributing. Either wool demand is increasing, or the supply is reducing, but all those things together "have given farmers' wool cheques quite a lift," he told Rural News.
"That is quite significant. You can put it down to all those things – supply issues, demand issues and people perhaps wanting to use NZ wool because of its superior production or processing capability.
"Hopefully the NZ wool industry is on a better path. Definitely three years ago it was below the level of production and now we are seeing some profits coming to farmers from wool production.
"After they have shorn their sheep there is a reasonable amount left. It's not substantial but that rise has been pretty useful."
He says the clean wool price is now at least $6/kg whereas two years ago it was $4-$4.50.
"Mid micron wool has been a star performer," Millton says. "It has started to really increase in price and compete with Merino. The apparel trade has boosted that." – Pam Tipa
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…