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.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
When it comes to annual rebates, it's been a long time between drinks for Ravensdown shareholders.
Special courses for secondary school teachers to help excite kids about agriculture and horticulture are now being run at Massey University.
Running a tight and self-contained ship is the key to the success of the country's largest dairy farmer, says Blair Robinson, the new man at the helm of Dairy Holdings.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.

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