Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
New Zealand Wool Services International's chief executive John Dawson says a slightly easier NZ dollar and limited wool volumes combined with steadier enquiry, saw most categories well supported.
Of the 5,700 bales on offer, 92% sold.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies compared to last sale weakened 0.94%, helping underpin local prices.
Dawson advises that compared to the sale on 5th November, Merino Fleece were generally firm to 2% dearer. Mid Micron Fleece were firm to 3% dearer.
Compared to the 12 November sale, Fine Crossbred Fleece were 1 to 4% dearer, longer shears firm to 4% dearer and shorter types firm to 2.5% easier.
Coarse Crossbred Full Fleece were up to 1.5% dearer.
Long Coarse Shears and very short shears eased 1.5% with 3 to 4 and 2 to 4 inch shears firm to 1.5% firmer.
Oddments were 3 to 6% dearer.
Good competition with China principals, supported by Western Europe and Australasia with limited interest from elsewhere.
Next sale on 26November comprises approximately 5,900 bales from the North Island.
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.

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