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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.
While wool returns continue in the doldrums, smart sheep farmers are looking for alternatives for a product that currently cost more to get off a sheep's back than it's worth. One such initiative is run by husband and wife team Hayden and Anastasia Tristram who farm at Wanstead in the Central Hawke's Bay. Mark Daniel reports.
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South Canterbury farmer Angela Blair has delivered a petition to Parliament calling on the Government to reverse its decision to fit rural schools with synthetic carpet.
Thousands of students could benefit from a new initiative designed to simplify schools’ access to New Zealand wool carpets for their classrooms.
Wool carpet maker Bremworth's Napier plant remains offline following Cyclone Gabrielle in February, with the future of 136 workers still up in the air.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.
