No easy ride for struggling sheep farmers
Stubbornly high farm input costs, a slow Chinese recovery and a flood of Australian lamb onto the global market are the main factors contributing to the tough times being faced by NZ's sheep farmers.
The wool market in both the North and South Island continues to show resilience.
New Zealand Wool Services International Limited chief executive officer John Dawson says that new business and shipping requirements for older contracts combined to keep all types well supported.
Crossbred Fleece types ranged from 1% cheaper to 5% dearer across both Islands, as did Second Shear and Lamb types.
Good competition prevailed with China, Western Europe and Australasia dominating.
The next sale takes place on 10 March in the South Island only. It will consist of approximately 8,000 bales.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
Listed Canterbury milk processor Synlait’s shares have been placed in a trading halt.