Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
Wool is on the cusp of a renaissance that will kick off Monday in the presence of the Prince of Wales, says Federated Farmers.
Feds' meat and fibre chairperson Jeanette Maxwell and president Bruce Wills will attend the Shear Brilliance, which the Prince is opening.
Maxwell says the Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre Council has resolved to publically support the Campaign for Wool, of which, the Prince of Wales is patron.
"Natural fibres, like wool, are the most sustainable things we can put into our homes and businesses, or on ourselves for that matter. The global wool industry has been on the back foot and as farmers, we realise the need for us to get on the front foot," says Maxwell.
"That is why president Bruce Wills and I are attending the Shear Brilliance event because wool is brilliant.
"To prove we are putting words into action, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre Council further resolved to encourage members and indeed, all farmers, to get involved in the Wools of New Zealand discussions now taking place.
"We are publicising meetings and will provide forums for discussion because the status quo has failed us farmers. That means it is incumbent on farmers to grab the comb and get stuck in," Maxwell says.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
When it comes to annual rebates, it's been a long time between drinks for Ravensdown shareholders.
Special courses for secondary school teachers to help excite kids about agriculture and horticulture are now being run at Massey University.
Running a tight and self-contained ship is the key to the success of the country's largest dairy farmer, says Blair Robinson, the new man at the helm of Dairy Holdings.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.

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