Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
Despite a strengthening NZ dollar, the varied selection at this week's South Island auction attracted strong support.
Despite a strengthening NZ dollar, the varied selection at this week's South Island auction attracted strong support.
New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd's chief executive John Dawson reports that of the 7700 bales on offer 85% sold.
The weighted currency indicator was up 2.06% compared to the previous week's auction.
Dawson advises a selection ranging from 21 micron merinos to 42 micron coarse wools with a cross section of styles and lengths provided attractive options to buyers which overrode the possible negative impact of the stronger dollar compared to the similar South Island offering on July 14.
Mid micron fleece were well supported with increased Chinese interest, lifting 4 to 12%.
Fine crossbred fleece and shears were 2 to 3% firmer. Coarse crossbred full fleece lifted 3% for all styles with coarse shears ranging from firm to 3.5% dearer. Oddments were up 3 to 5%.
Where comparable to last week's North Island auction, levels are 4 to 7% higher.
Good competition with Australasia, Western Europe and China principals, supported by Middle East, India and United Kingdom.
The next sale on August 4 comprises about 5000 bales from the South Island.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Grace Su, a recent optometry graduate from the University of Auckland, is moving to Tauranga to start work in a practice where she worked while participating in the university's Rural Health Interprofessional Programme (RHIP).
Two farmers and two farming companies were recently convicted and fined a total of $108,000 for environmental offending.
According to Ravensdown's most recent Market Outlook report, a combination of geopolitical movements and volatile market responses are impacting the global fertiliser landscape.
Environment Canterbury, alongside industry partners and a group of farmers, is encouraging farmers to consider composting as an environmentally friendly alternative to offal pits.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…