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.
The strong wool market has improved in the past six months, despite drops in production over recent years.
On January 5th at Te Pa Station, the World Sheep Shearing Records saw a new nine-hour strong wool ewes shearing record set by Simon Goss.
Recently awarded in the New Years Honours List for Services to Agriculture and Governance, well known dairy farmer Lloyd Downing has become an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).
International trade expert Stephen Jacobi says Winston Peters' objections to the Indian free trade deal are "ridiculous".
Sheep and beef farmers in Hawke's Bay are being urged to keep a close eye on the wells that supply water to their stock.
Global dairy prices continue to rise despite ample supply from key milk producing countries including New Zealand.

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