increase font size
Funds left over from wool levies collected by Meat & Wool New Zealand – now Beef + Lamb New Zealand - have supported the development of a new fabric that blends waste rice straw and New Zealand strong wool.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief operating officer, Cros Spooner welcomed the innovation from Wellington company, The Formary, the same company that transformed Starbucks coffee sacks into upholstery fabric for the coffee chain's furniture.
"The Formary and managing director Bernadette Casey have made some valuable contacts in China which produces about 200 million tonnes of rice a year. This makes vast amounts of waste rice straw and this latest innovation uses the waste rice straw and blends it with 29 micron wool to make upholstery weight fabric.
"Beef + Lamb New Zealand is delighted the company has found some new uses for New Zealand strong wool and is pleased to support the development of the fabric.
"The blend of wool and rice straw creates a hard-wearing fabric and provides a useful solution for the waste straw which would usually be burnt, affecting the air quality in China. This is great from a sustainability perspective too."
Spooner says this sort of innovation created opportunities for New Zealand strong wool and ultimately benefited sheep farmers.
This project was one of seven entrepreneurial wool projects to be awarded a share of half a million dollars in remaining wool levies to boost the wool industry and benefit farmers.
While wool returns continue in the doldrums, smart sheep farmers are looking for alternatives for a product that currently cost more to get off a sheep's back than it's worth. One such initiative is run by husband and wife team Hayden and Anastasia Tristram who farm at Wanstead in the Central Hawke's Bay. Mark Daniel reports.
New research has provided insight into the functional potential of wool-derived protein, with an initial trial revealing it can influence how the body responds to insulin.
South Canterbury farmer Angela Blair has delivered a petition to Parliament calling on the Government to reverse its decision to fit rural schools with synthetic carpet.
Thousands of students could benefit from a new initiative designed to simplify schools’ access to New Zealand wool carpets for their classrooms.
Wool carpet maker Bremworth's Napier plant remains offline following Cyclone Gabrielle in February, with the future of 136 workers still up in the air.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
