Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The limited offering of 4200 bales from the South Island on offer this week saw a 58% clearance and a generally firmer market, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies increased by 0.42%.
Dawson advises a small selection of Mid Micron wools followed other market trends and eased between 4 to 6%.
Fine crossbred fleece and shears were firm to sellers favour.
Coarse crossbred fleece were firm to 1.5% dearer. Coarse early shorn were firm with longer shears firm to 1.5% stronger and shorter shears firm to 3% dearer.
First lambs and long crossbred oddments remained firm with short oddments generally in buyers' favour.
There was limited activity with many growers reluctant to sell at current levels. Main competition came from China, India and Western Europe, supported by Middle East and Australasia.
The next sale on August 16 comprises about 7500 bales from the North Island and 6300 bales from the South Island.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…