Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
Apart from a small selection of mid micron wools, all other types at the South Island sale were between 1 and 4% dearer, New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson, says.
Of the 6035 bales on offer, 90% sold. The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was down 2.36% adding strength to local prices.
Dawson advises mid micron fleece were 2.5 to 3.5% cheaper. Fine crossbred fleece were up to 1.5% firmer with shorter types 2 to 4% dearer. Coarse crossbred full fleece were 2 to 3% stronger with shears firm to 2.5% dearer.
Long oddments were 3% stronger with shorter types up to 1.5% firmer.
There was limited competition with China, Australasia and United Kingdom most active, supported by Middle East and India. The next sale on August 29 comprises about 7600 bales from the South Island.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

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