Top wool advocate bales out
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
The latest combined North and South Island wool auction saw a 91% clearance and a generally firm market, says NZWSI general manager, John Dawson.
The auction comprised 20,585 bales.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was down 1.47% compared to the last sale on 11th June helping underpin local values.
Dawson advises that Finer Mid Micron Fleece were 3 to 6% easier with the coarser types firm to 2% dearer.
Fine Crossbred Fleece and Shears, which had been under pressure for the Chinese market, eased 2 to 6%.
Coarse Crossbred Full Fleece were firm in the South Island and ranged from firm to 3.5% cheaper in the North. Longer Coarse Shears were 1 to 2.5% cheaper with the short types 1 to 2% dearer.
First Lambs were 1 to 3% easier.
Long Oddments were firm to 3% dearer with short oddments ranging between 1 to 7% stronger.
The end of season sale was well supported with China, Australasia and the Middle East principals, supported by India, Western Europe and the United Kingdom.
The first sale for the 2015/16 season on 9th July, comprises approximately 9,400 bales from the North Island.
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.
Sheep infant nutrition maker Blue River Dairy is hoping to use its success in China as a springboard into other markets in future.
Plentiful milk supplies from key producer countries are weighing down global dairy prices.
The recent windstorm that cut power to dairy farms across Southland for days has taught farmers one lesson – keep a generator handy on each farm.

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