Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
This week's North Island offering comprising 9,600 bales saw most sectors ease again except the finer lambs fleece, NZ Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson says.
There was a 55% clearance with many farmers again refusing to sell at these lower levels.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was down only 0.29% with limited market activity and high client stock levels again being the main market influencers.
Dawson advises Fine Crossbred Shears as well as the Coarse Fleece and Shears softened 3 to 5%.
Lambs Fleece 30 micron and finer went against the trend remaining firm to 3% stronger, however the Coarser types were firm to 1%easier. Second Lambs eased 2 to 3%.
Short Oddments also eased 2 to 3%.
There was restricted competition with China and Western Europe principals and limited support elsewhere.
Next sale on Friday, April 27 (due to the mid-week National holiday) comprises approximately 14,000 bales from the South Island.
Metallica's charitable foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), teamed up with Meet the Need this week for a food packing event held at the New Zealand Food Network warehouse in Auckland.
After two years, Alliance Group has returned to profit.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
Next month, wool training will reach one of New Zealand's most remote communities, the Chatham Islands - bringing hands-on skills and industry connection to locals eager to step into the wool harvesting sector.
Farmers' health and wellbeing will take centre stage with a new hub at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
Dannevirke farmer Dan Billing has been announced as the new national chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) Farmer Council.