Furniture company out to help lift wool prices
New Zealand's strong wool sector is in the doldrums, with record low prices and little hope on the horizon.
A weaker New Zealand dollar, limited wool volumes and renewed client interest, combined to lift local prices across the board says NZWSI general manager, John Dawson.
Of the 6,350 bales on offer, 99% sold.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was down 1.79% compared to the last sale on April 30.
Fine crossbred full fleece and longer shears were 7 to 10% dearer, stimulated by resurgent Chinese interest with shorter types 3 to 6% firmer.
Coarse crossbred full fleece and longer shears were 5 to 11% dearer with shorter types 4 to 8% stronger.
Lambs fleece lifted 4 to 6%. Good colour short oddments were 8% dearer with poorer styles up 8 to 12%.
The sale saw limited competition with China dominating supported by Australasia, Middle East, India and Western Europe.
The next sale is on May 14 and comprises about 4,600 bales from the North Island, down 32% on anticipated rostered volumes.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.