Markets resilient, farmers hopeful
OPINION: The global dairy market continues to show resilience, and farmers remain cautiously optimistic as we move into the latter half of 2025.
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.
Fertiliser co-operative Ballance has written down $88 million - the full value of its Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki - from its balance sheet in the face of a looming gas shortage.
The Government and horticulture sector have unveiled a new roadmap with an aim to double horticulture farmgate returns by 2035.
Canterbury farmers and the Police Association say they are frustrated by proposed cuts to rural policing in the region.
The strain and pressure of weeks of repairing their flood-damaged properties is starting to tell on farmers and orchardists in the Tasman district.
The sale price of Fonterra’s global consumer and associated businesses to the world’s largest dairy company Lactalis has risen to $4.22 billion.
Alliance Group's proposal to sell a 65% shareholding to Ireland's Dawn Meats won't solve the red meat industry's structural problems, says former Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams.