Editorial: Wool's Back in the Black
OPINION: Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
The North Island auction received mixed support with the stronger NZ dollar having a limited impact in some areas.
New Zealand Wool Services International's chief executive John Dawson says the North Island auction received mixed support with the stronger NZ dollar having a limited impact in some areas.
Of the 6,500 bales on offer 97.5% sold.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was up 1.35% compared to the last sale on 19th November, accounting for a corresponding local market reduction in some sectors.
Dawson advises that the finer end of the Fine Crossbred Fleece were up to 1.5% dearer with the stronger end buyer's favour.
Fine Crossbred Shears 3 to 5 and 3 to 4 inches were firm to 2.5% cheaper with the shorter lengths firm to 2% dearer.
Coarse Crossbred Full Fleece were 1.5% cheaper with Coarse Shears firm to 2% dearer.
Long Oddments remained firm with shorter oddments 3 to 7% cheaper.
Lambs Fleece were nominally unchanged.
Well spread competition with China and Australasia principals supported by Western Europe, Middle East, India and the United Kingdom.
Next sale on 3 December will comprise of approximately 5,000 bales from the South Island with the North Island sale cancelled due to weather affecting shearing.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.

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