increase font size
Renewed interest from China saw the finer types well supported in the combined North and South Island wool sales comprising 15,200 bales, NZ Wool Services International Ltd's, general manager, John Dawson reports.
The coarser wools were generally firm to slightly easier. With the better tone, 62% of the offering sold. The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies eased by 0.76% compared to the last sale on July 19.
Dawson advises that Mid Micron wools, 25.5 to 31.5 micron, were firm to 3% dearer. Fine Crossbred 33 to 35 micron 2 to 4 inches and longer were firm to 8% dearer with the 3 to 4 inch bracket appreciating the most. The 2 to 3 inch types were the only area to weaken, by up to 3%.
Crossbred Fleece 36 microns and coarser were firm to 3% easier. Coarse Shears were 1 to 3% cheaper except the 3 to 4 inch bracket which came back 3 to 5%.
First Lambs attracted good competition with the longer types 4 to 7% stronger and shorter types firm to 2.5% dearer.
Long Coarse Oddments were firm overall with the short types firm to 4% dearer.
Well spread activity with China principals supported by Western Europe, India and the Middle East.
The next sale on August 2 comprises about 8250 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.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
OPINION: The distress that the politicians and bureaucrats are causing to the people of Wairoa and the wider Tairāwhiti is unforgivable.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…
