increase font size
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.
While wool returns continue in the doldrums, smart sheep farmers are looking for alternatives for a product that currently cost more to get off a sheep's back than it's worth. One such initiative is run by husband and wife team Hayden and Anastasia Tristram who farm at Wanstead in the Central Hawke's Bay. Mark Daniel reports.
New research has provided insight into the functional potential of wool-derived protein, with an initial trial revealing it can influence how the body responds to insulin.
South Canterbury farmer Angela Blair has delivered a petition to Parliament calling on the Government to reverse its decision to fit rural schools with synthetic carpet.
Thousands of students could benefit from a new initiative designed to simplify schools’ access to New Zealand wool carpets for their classrooms.
Wool carpet maker Bremworth's Napier plant remains offline following Cyclone Gabrielle in February, with the future of 136 workers still up in the air.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.
Rural trader PGG Wrightson has revised its operating earnings guidance, saying trading conditions have deteriorated since the last market update in February.
It's been a bumper season for maize and other supplements in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Leading farmers from around New Zealand connected to share environmental stories and inspiration and build relationships at the Dairy Environment Leaders (DEL) national forum in Wellington last month.
AgriZeroNZ, a joint venture fast-tracking emissions reduction tools for farmers, is pouring $5 million in a biotech company to develop a low emissions farm pasture with increased productivity gains.
Fonterra is teaming up with wealth app provider Sharesies to make it easier for its farmer shareholders to trade co-op shares among themselves.
