Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The more varied offering at this weeks' South Island auction saw targeted buying with better demand for the longer wools.
New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's chief executive John Dawson reports that of the 5,800 bales on offer 61% sold, reflecting the general slow-down in new orders coming forward and exporters only buying for immediate requirements.
The continuing strengthening of the New Zealand dollar saw the weighted currency indicator lift 1.87% week on week, limiting market opportunities.
Dawson advises that compared to the South Island sale on June 30, Mid Micron Fleece were 1 to 2.5% cheaper with Fine Crossbred Fleece down 3.5%.
Compared to the North Island sale on July 7, Longer Finer Crossbred Shears were 2 to 4% dearer with shorter shears firm to 1% cheaper.
Coarse Crossbred Full Fleece, good and average styles were 1 to 1.5% easier with poor styles 3 to 5% dearer.
Coarse Second Shears 2 to 4 inches to 3 to 5 inches were 2 to 5% firmer with shorter types firm.
Long Oddments remained firm with good colour short oddments 2 to 4% dearer.
Limited activity with Australasia and Middle East principals, supported by Western Europe, China and India.
Next sale on July 21 comprises about 6,000 bales from the North Island.
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.

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