Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The high volume of short second shears eased slightly at the latest NZ Wool Services International's auction.
The high volume of short second shears eased slightly at the latest NZ Wool Services International's auction compared to the last North Island auction on May 12, says chief executive John Dawson.
Apart from that there were minimal changes.Of the 8,600 bales on offer 88% sold. Currency had minimal impact with the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies down only 0.47% week on week.
Dawson says the listed volumes of fine crossbred longer shears were 1 to 2% dearer with the shorter types firm to 2% easier.
Coarse crossbred fleece were firm to 2.5% dearer. Longer coarse shears were firm to 2% firmer with the high volumes of short shears on offer 1 to 2% easier.
Fine first lambs were firm to 3% dearer with coarse lambs 3 to 4% cheaper. Oddments were firm to 5% easier.
There are now quite disparate price levels between the limited type selection and styles in the North Island and the more varied offering from the South Island making direct comparisons difficult.
There was good competition with Australasia, Western Europe and United Kingdom principal, supported by Middle East, India and China.
The next sale on June 2 comprises about 6,500 bales from the South Island.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…