Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The market held up fairly well for the last of the larger offerings of this season with 22,700 bales on offer and an 84% clearance, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies compared to the last sale on March 15 was practically unchanged, strengthening only 0.06%.
The price levels between the North and South Island selling centres reflects the larger volumes coming forward in the north and although prices lifted considerably compared to their last sale on March 8, the North Island prices are still generally below their counterparts in the south.
Dawson advises that Fine Crossbred Fleece and Shears were firm to 2% stronger. Good Colour Crossbred Fleece eased slightly with other styles firm to 3% dearer. Longer Coarse Shears ranged from firm to 4% stronger, with shorter shears in the South easing 1 to 2% and the north offering firm to 4% dearer. South Island Lambs were 1 to 2% easier with the North Island selection 2 to 5% stronger.
Oddments ranged from firm to 3.5% dearer with the North Island levels lifting the most.
Well spread competition with China, Australasia, Middle East and India principals supported by Western Europe and United Kingdom.
Next sale on March 29 comprises about 10,900 bales of South Island wools only.
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

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