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.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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