Lambswool blankets mark Farmers becoming first local Wool Integrity retail brand partner
Nationwide retailer Farmers Trading Co has become the first local Wool Integrity brand partner in its sector, and is selling a series of blankets made from New Zealand wool. Farmers’ Kate Reed range of home textiles includes Pippa and Etta woollen blankets. In the past, woollen blankets were sourced...
Clip improvement wins Hine PGG Wrightson Academy Award
PGG Wrightson Wool Trainee Hine Mullany was recognised recently as the company’s top young talent. Hine was named as Dux at the recent PGG Wrightson Academy Awards, her success based on a project to improve the clip of Canterbury woolgrowers, mother and son team Nicola and Ben Stokes. A partnership...
Southland stud leading the way towards zero carbon genetics
Long time PGG Wrightson Wool client Leon Black is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of New Zealand agriculture, though only when doing so also improves productivity. His theory is that by tweaking the genetics the right way, New Zealand agriculture can become the first industry to achieve...
Wool Market Update – Pricing for better style wools supports cautious optimism
While at present levels crossbred wool auction prices remain well short of satisfactory, better colour and style offerings have gained positive traction in the market recently. As a consequence of their short supply, when presented in the auction room these wools are enthusiastically received and...
Staff profile: Kev Wilson – A lifetime classing wool
Kev Wilson started working in the wool industry in Napier in 1962. At 16 his first job was as a junior wool classer for broker De Pelichet Mcleod. A few years after the Korean War had driven huge impetus into the wool sector, demand for the fibre remained strong. “There were plenty of wool stores...
Disturbing study shows prevalence of microplastic waste
A study by scientists at the School of Environment, University of Auckland has shown that Auckland has much higher levels of airborne microplastics than has been recorded in many cities elsewhere: equivalent to three million plastic bottles per year in the air of Auckland. Microplastics are produced...
Keeping the faith, diversifying revenue and putting glitter on the gumboots
Like many other farmers, Clarke and Megan Horrell are always open to different ways to diversify revenue, particularly if that adds value for their local community. Clarke and Megan farm Huntly Farm, a 720 hectare fourth generation sheep and beef property at Waikaia, Southland, breeding and...
Growers recognise the benefits of signing up to NZFAP
Sheep and beef farmers throughout the country are increasingly seeking New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP) certification. NZFAP is a voluntary nationwide programme that verifies best practice in animal raising and production at a standard recognised by international customers. Originally...
Wool Market Update – Returns stable, though conditions challenge colour and quality
While we once again note that crossbred prices are unsustainable at present levels, longer term positives for the wool market are consistent and growing: the fundamentals of the sustainable, biodegradable fibre that we produce have not changed, and the world wants these characteristics ever more...
Logistical challenges aplenty around fine wool
This season has seen some profound logistical challenges in the fine wool sector. High quantities of wool came forward to our Christchurch and Mosgiel wool stores at this time of the year for these types. This high wool flow coinciding with such a wet spring resulted in a bottleneck that constricted...
Staff profile: Annabel Busby - All round advocate for our ‘forgotten’ fibre
Being referred to as ‘the triage’ when introduced to new colleagues might not go down well with some people. However, Annabel Busby PGG Wrightson Wool Administrator in Napier, chooses to take it as praise. “To me it means ‘Go to Annabel first, she can fix anything, and if she can’t fix it, then she...
Confidence in the future evident in West Edge developments
Photo of Henry, Gaby and their daughter Jess supplied by Anna Munro - MUSTER Photography. Written by Hine Mullany, PGG Wrightson Wool Trainee. Alistair Flett, our rep for South Canterbury and Central Otago recently took me out of the office to see an Upper Waitaki-based farming family who are...
Devold visit underlines strength of partnership, and value to growers
Two senior executives from Devold of Norway were in New Zealand recently, alongside Craig Smith GM Devold NZ, to meet the growers who supply merino wool for the manufacture of their prestigious natural clothing range. Devold owner and CEO Knut Flaak and the manager of the company’s Lithuania mill...
Making it easy
Finding the right insurance can be daunting. For farms, where homes and livelihoods often crossover, it’s critical you have someone help you navigate through the types of cover, the options and making sure you only pay what you need to. Rural policies are normally a package deal, combining covers...
Wool Market Update – Market under global stress, though quality reaping rewards
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has disrupted global energy markets, generating a huge surge in energy prices; China’s economy continues to be affected by Covid with lockdowns still occurring; global shipping capacity continues to challenge market requirements; and staffing challenges are afflicting...
Excellent gift selection from Wool Integrity
With the season for weddings upon us and Christmas looming, gifts made from our unequalled natural fibre, taking advantage of its outstanding characteristics, are selling now from the online Wool Integrity™ store - https://woolintegrity.store Products available through the site from PGG Wrightson’s...
Enthusiasm to the fore at Wool Classers’ North Island Industry Day
Photo supplied by NZWCA On the fourth attempt, after the previous three were thwarted by a series of Covid lockdowns, the New Zealand Wool Classers Association (NZWCA) recently held a successful North Island Industry Day for the first time since 2019. Hosted at the PGG Wrightson Napier wool store in...
Devold visit underlines strength of partnership, and value to growers
Two senior executives from Devold of Norway were in New Zealand recently, alongside Craig Smith GM Devold NZ, to meet the growers who supply merino wool for the manufacture of their prestigious natural clothing range. Devold owner and CEO Knut Flaak and the manager of the company’s Lithuania mill...