Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The 10,600 bales of South Island wools on offer this week saw a generally solid market and an 82% clearance, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson says.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies strengthened slightly by 0.14%, having no effect on the market.
Dawson says merino fleece prices when compared to last sold on November 8, 18 micron and finer eased 3 to 4% bringing them to the same market level as their Australian counterparts.
Mid Micron Fleece 26 to 28 micron were firm to 1% dearer with 28.5 to 31.5 microns 2 to 5% stronger.
Compared to the last sale on November 15, fine crossbred fleece 32 to 35 micron were firm to 4% dearer. Longer shears were 2 to 4% stronger with shorter types generally firm.
Coarse crossbred fleece 36 micron and coarser were firm to 1% dearer. Longer shears were firm to 3% stronger with 2 to 4 inch firm and shorter types 1 to 2% easier.
Oddments were firm to 3% stronger.
There was competition with China, India and Western Europe principals, supported by United Kingdom, Middle East and Australasia. The next sale on November 29 comprises about 8500 bales from the North Island.
Federated Farmers says it is cautiously welcoming signals from the Government that a major shake-up of local government is on its way.
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.
The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate agricultural trade flows, prices, and production decisions.
National Lamb Day is set to return in 2026 with organisers saying the celebrations will be bigger than ever.
Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.
The chance of a $10-plus milk price for this season appears to be depleting.

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