Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
Comparative market reporting based on the radically disparate volumes and types on offer between alternate weeks offerings of North and South Island wools is becoming increasingly difficult, says New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson.
There are wide price ranges between the selling centres, he says
Compared to the last sale on June 14 the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies is up 2.29% accounting for most of the softer market week last week with 65% of the offering selling.
Dawson reports that last week's South Island offering compared to the week before's North Island sale was generally firm to 4% easier. Longer Fine Crossbred Shears were firm to 3% softer with the shorter types resisting the trends and firming up to 4%.
Coarse Crossbred Fleece was also firm to 4% down. Coarse Shears 2/4 and longer ranged from 2 to 5% easier with the shorter types 1.5% dearer.
First Lambs were 2 to 5% down. Coarse Oddments were 3 to 4% cheaper.
When compared to the previous South Island offering on June 7, levels range from firm to 6% cheaper, however the price wool is trading at internationally is relative to the North Island market movement and currency impact.
Limited competition with China, United Kingdom and Western Europe principals, supported by India, Middle East and Australasia.
Next sale on June 28 comprises about 13,600 bales from the North Island and 6,200 bales from the South Island.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
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.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…