Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
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.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.
In partnership with Growing Future Farmers (GFF), Fonterra says it is increasing support for young people entering the dairy industry with a new two-year programme.
OPINION: The Government needs to act now to address consenting issues faced by farmers throughout the country.
NZ First leader Winston Peters has continued his criticism of Fonterra to sell its brand business to the French company Lactalis, saying the move is "utter madness".
When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.
New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) has launched a new initiative designed to make it easier for employers to support their young team members by covering their NZYF membership.

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?