Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
THE WOOL SALE held in the South Island today (Thursday) comprised 10,334 bales of which 7, 587 reached market reserves or above, New Zealand Wool Services International Limited's general manager, John Dawson reports.
The weighted indicator for the main currencies was up 2.09% and 73.5% of the offering sold.
Increased demand coupled with continued grower resistance to further declining prices saw price levels resist the strong New Zealand dollar.
Compared to the North Island sale on May 31, 2012 Coarse Crossbred Fleece and Early Shorn types 3 to 5 inch and longer were 5% dearer. Coarse Crossbred Second Shears 2 to 4 inch and 3 to 4 inch were 4 % dearer. First Lambs were 1% dearer. Crossbred Oddments were 2% dearer.
A good spread of buyers was active including China, India, Western Europe and Australasia with support from United Kingdom and Middle East.
Compared to the last South Island sale on the May 24 prices were generally firm to buyers favour.
The next sale on June 14, 2012 comprises approximately 12,500 bales of North Island wool.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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