Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The combined North and South Island Wool auction comprising 15,300 bales saw some variation in price levels between types and selling centres compared to last sale on January 31, however overall the market generally steadied, says New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's general manager, John Dawson reports.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was unchanged with 87% of the offering sold.
Dawson advises steady enquiry and lower than expected wool flow is helping the market to stabilise.
Mid Micron Fleece 28 and 29 micron were up to 2% firmer with 30 micron 1.5% easier. Fine crossbred fleece were generally firm with the second shear types ranging from firm to 4% stronger.
Coarse crossbred fleece varied between Islands with the South up to 1.5% firmer and the North firm to 2% cheaper.
Overall the coarse shears were firm to slightly dearer. Short first lambs were firm in the North and between 1 and 4% easier in the South. Long coarse oddments were 3 to 5% cheaper with short oddments strongly contested lifting between 6 and 13%.
Competition was limited with China the principal supported by India, Europe, Middle East and the United Kingdom. The next sale on February 14 comprises about 7500 bales from the North Island and 6600 bales from the South Island.
Metallica's charitable foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), teamed up with Meet the Need this week for a food packing event held at the New Zealand Food Network warehouse in Auckland.
After two years, Alliance Group has returned to profit.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
Next month, wool training will reach one of New Zealand's most remote communities, the Chatham Islands - bringing hands-on skills and industry connection to locals eager to step into the wool harvesting sector.
Farmers' health and wellbeing will take centre stage with a new hub at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
Dannevirke farmer Dan Billing has been announced as the new national chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) Farmer Council.

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