Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The North Island wool auction this week remained mostly firm except for the higher volume of shorter shears, which eased, compared to last week.
New Zealand Wool Services International Limited's marketing executive, Paul Steel reports that the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies eased slightly by 0.4% compared to the last sale on 7th May.
Of the 5,500 bales on offer, 98% sold.
Steel says that continued requirement for China saw the Fine Crossbred Shears range from firm to 2.5% dearer. Coarse Crossbred Full Fleece were firm to 2% stronger.
Longer Coarse Shears were 1 to 2.5% firmer with shorter shears, which made up over 50% of the offering, ranging from firm to 2% cheaper.
Long First Lambs fleece remained steady with shorter lamb's wool 1.5 to 2% easier.
Good colour short oddments were 1% cheaper with poor styles firm to 5% lower.
China dominated the auction, supported by Australasia, India, Western Europe and the Middle East.
The next sale on 21st May in the South Island is for approximately 10,000 bales, 4,000 bales above roster. The small volume of previous passed in wools held back by growers is coming forward for sale, attracted by recent improved local price levels.
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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