Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
TO MOST New Zealanders, wool carpet feels better than synthetic, a survey by Colmar Brunton on behalf of carpet maker Cavalier Bremworth, has found.
Shoppers aged 35 and over handled and walked barefoot across a wool and synthetic carpets that were the same colour, pile height and construction.
“More than two thirds chose the wool over the synthetic version,” says Cavalier Bremworth marketing manager Desiree Keown.
“Three quarters of them said the wool carpet was softer and 61% said it was denser, despite being the same weight as the synthetic option. Other comments favouring wool said it had ‘better bounce’, was more natural and less itchy.
“By contrast, the synthetic carpets were variously described as gritty, hard, thin, slimy and smelling of chemicals.”
Keown says the survey shows Kiwis prefer natural, sustainable materials over artificial textiles.
“Our national psyche is all about being real and genuine so the results are not a great shock. They fit in with our Pure New Zealand image and will be music to the ears of the nation’s sheep farmers, who produce the best quality wool in the world.”
Keown says wool carpets are not only soft, comfortable and natural; they’re fire resistant, easy-to-clean and very durable, looking better for longer.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.
Following recent storms in the region, the 69th edition of the Tour of Southland cycling event has been postponed.
A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.

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