Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
A SLIGHTLY easier New Zealand dollar, limited wool supply and steady shipping demand combined to lift prices across the board at the South Island sale, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
Recent poor weather has restricted shearing, creating a seasonal shortfall with the next South Island sale on June 19 now cancelled.
Of the 6,640 bales on offer 91% sold with some growers holding out for higher price levels.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies compared to the last sale on May 29 was down 0.7%.
Dawson advises that:
Fine Crossbred Fleece and Shears were 3 to 5% dearer. Coarse Crossbred Fleece and shears were generally 3 to 4.5% dearer with shorter shears up to 6% stronger.
Lambs Fleece were 2 to 4% dearer. Good style short oddments were up 3 to 5% with poor styles 6 to 9% stronger.
There was good competition with China, India, Western Europe and Australasia principals, supported by United Kingdom and the Middle East.
The next sale on June 12 comprises about 9,300 bales from the North Island, down 20% on anticipated rostered volumes.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

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