Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
DESPITE A STRENGTHENING NZ dollar and a larger weekly offering of wool, the market was generally firm to dearer, says New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson.
Only lambs' fleece eased slightly and of the 20,000 bales on offer, 88% sold with growers not accepting current market levels for the balance.
Compared to the last South Island sale on February 27 the currency indicator was 1.15% higher but had minimal impact with demand and shipping requirements being the main market driver.
Dawson says fine crossbred fleece and shears were firm to 2% dearer. Coarse crossbred full fleece and shears were also firm to 2% dearer.
First lambs were firm to 2% cheaper. Oddments were firm to 2.5% stronger.
There was good competition with Australasia, Western Europe, United Kingdom and India principal, supported by China and the Middle East.
The next sale on March 13 comprises about 6600 bales from the South Island.
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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