Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
Continued shipping pressure for China kept finer crossbreds firm at the latest wool auction however coarse wools eased as volumes available increased, says Paul Steel of NZWSI.
The weighted indicator remained unchanged compared to the last sale on May 21. Of the 8,900 bales on offer, 94% sold.
Steel says that fine crossbred longer shears remained firm with shorter types lifting between 2% and 6%. Good colour coarse fleece were firm to 1.5% easier, average style firm and poor colour 2.5% to 5.5% dearer.
Long coarse shears were firm to 3.5% cheaper with shorter types down 4% to 6%.
Long lambs fleece were 3.5% dearer, 2 to 4 inches up 1% to 2% with shorter types firm to 4% cheaper. Long oddments were 4% to 7% dearer with good colour short oddments 4% dearer and poor colour 3% to 6% easier.
Good competition with China continues to dominate, supported by Australasia, India, Middle East and Western Europe.
The next sale on June 4 comprises about 7,100 bales from the South Island.
One of New Zealand’s longest-running pasture growth monitoring projects will continue, even as its long-time champion steps away after more than five decades of involvement.
The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsmen Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is advising consumers to prepare for delays as insurers respond to a high volume of claims following this week's severe weather.
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.

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