Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
THE 6000 BALES of North Island wool on offer this week saw a 91% clearance, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
Most wool types saw lower prices than at the previous South Island sale held on November 7. The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies moved only slightly in the week.
Fine crossbred fleece 33 to 35 micron was up to 5% cheaper. Crossbred full-fleece 37 micron and coarser saw a 5% decline. Finer crossbred early shorn and second shear types 32 to 35 micron were generally 2.5 to 5% cheaper. Combing oddments were 5% cheaper, while carding oddment types were par to 2.5% cheaper.
The principal buyers were China and Australasian carpet mills, supported by Western Europe.
The next sale on November 21 comprises 5890 bales from the South Island.
Federated Farmers' new vice president Sandra Faulkner says the issue of adverse events emergency management and infrastructure needs to be taken out of the three-year political cycle.
Building a strong team is one of the biggest drivers of a successful sheep and beef business, but it can also be one of the tougher parts to get right.
Blueberry growers are warning that fresh imports could pose a huge biosecurity risk for NZ’s horticulture sector.
As expected, the US has launched a safeguard investigation into lamb imports, a move that could impact New Zealand sheepmeat returns.
A milk glut around the world shows no sign of easing, putting downward pressure on farmgate milk prices for the next few months.
A pause on Waikato Regional Council's (WRC) plan change that sets new freshwater rules for farming could be announced in the coming weeks.

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