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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.
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.
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