Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The 9400 bales on offer in the South Island this week saw a 91% clearance and an overall stronger market, says NZ Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was 0.71% lower than the last sales on February 21, adding impetus to local price levels.
Dawson says a small offering of Mid Micron wool 25 to 29 microns were nominally 2% dearer.
Fine Crossbred Fleece 32 to 35 micron were firm to 3% stronger with the Second Shears firm to 1% dearer.
Good style coarse carpet fleece were 1.5 to 2.5% stronger with the poorer styles 2.5 to 4% dearer. Longer coarse shears increased 1.5 to 4% with the shorter types firm to 2.5% dearer.
First Lambs Fleece 31 micron and finer were 1 to 3% dearer with coarser types 3% stronger.
Combing oddments lifted by 3 to 4% with shorter oddments firm to 2% dearer.
Competition was good among China, India and Australasia principals, supported by Middle East, Western Europe and the United Kingdom.
The next sale March 7 comprises about 16,000 bales from the North Island and 8800 bales from the South Island.
Craighead Diocesan, Darfield High School and Christchurch Boys' High School took out the three age groups at the Canterbury Clash of the Colleges, which was held at the recent Ashburton A&P Show.
The New Zealand Merino Company (NZM) is expanding its collaboration with TextileGenesis to deliver full traceability for 100% of ZQ certified wool and ZQRX regenerative wool.
According to Federated Farmers, Environment Southland has mishandled the consent process for Waituna Lagoon, leaving the community with numerous bad outcomes.
Metallica's charitable foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), teamed up with Meet the Need this week for a food packing event held at the New Zealand Food Network warehouse in Auckland.
After two years, Alliance Group has returned to profit.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.

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