Selwyn Times: September 02, 2020

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30 Selwyn Times Wednesday September 2 2020 SELWYN RURAL LIFE Wool sector faces tough decisions Once a stalwart of our economy, the wool sector faces some tough decisions to ensure its survival. Piers Fuller reports. For those lanolin-soaked old shearers who remember the glory days of the New Zealand wool industry, the collapse of our strong wonder fibre is something of a disaster. For many modern economists, the writing is on the wall and it is time to face reality and produce something the world wants. Unfortunately, what the world has wanted in recent decades has been cheap, petroleum-based synthetics. At its peak in the early 1950s, almost half of the country’s export earnings were generated by wool; by 2019, that proportion was less than one per cent. Last shearing season some farmers were barely getting $1 a kilo for our traditional strong wool - not nearly enough to pay to take it off the sheep. Whether observers think our homegrown wonder fibre is on the cusp of a collapse or a renaissance depends on perspective, but it is evident that wool holds a special place in Kiwis’ hearts, and nobody wants to see it disappear. The industry is not taking strong wool’s desperate situation lying down, nor is the Government for that matter, and there is confidence that the country can create a pathway back to profitability for wool. Others say it is time for the market to adapt, despite New Zealand’s historical fondness for the product. Westpac senior agri-economist Nathan Penny says the answer was quite clear, and we needed to stop producing something that people don’t want and focus on what they do want. “I do think the answer’s been staring us in the face, but there is quite a bit of attachment to what has been a flagship product for New Zealand for a very long time, but the world moves on and the world is saying coarse wool really isn’t on many people’s radar. GET YOUR RURAL BUSINESS NOTICED When you advertise your rural business in the Rural Life feature in The Selwyn Times, your ad will reach 20,600 rural and residential households across the ENTIRE Selwyn District. The Selwyn Times is delivered FREE each Wednesday, covering the latest local news and information with digital editions also available to view online at www.starnews.co.nz. CALL Lynette TODAY to discuss how she can help PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS to local Selwyn readers, or to the entire Canterbury district. Don’t forget to ask about our “Support Local” packages to assist the Covid Business recovery. We’re here to help! Contact Lynette DDI: 03 3647434 Mobile: 021 222 7831 Email: Lynette.Evans@starmedia.kiwi “The logical thing to do from a business point of view is look to reduce our production of it.” It is important to note that fine and medium wools, such as merino, are still viable products, but they are also seeing reduced demand in the current Covid climate. Penny was not surprised by the weakness in wool demand as the world’s economies tighten their belts and concentrate on food-related commodities. He says there’s been a double-hit to wool demand at the coarse end of the fibre range, which has accelerated the longstanding trend of weak prices. “The general story is there are plenty of alternatives to wool, synthetic in particular, and in the current environment there is the added complication of low oil prices, so synthetics have become even cheaper.” He suggests farmers adapt by changing to varieties of sheep that produce finer wools and focus on meat. “In recent years, meat has been paying the bills. Now farmers are increasingly getting less and less for their coarse wool, it’s actually becoming a cost line and opposed to a revenue line in their farm businesses. “Now the signal is loud and clear, noone is really interested in that product, so it’s a clear signal to stop producing it.” That’s an enticing prospect to a farmer who’s just spent tens of thousands removing the wool from their sheep with very little in return. Source: Stuff.co.nz. The full article can be found at https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/ farming/agribusiness/122337438/ wonderful-wool-our-supermaterial-is-ata-crossroads--adapt-or-disappear
Wednesday September 2 2020 Selwyn Times 31 Kia Kaha Ake – Give It a Go Darfield on Friday, 3.45- 5.45pm Grab a caregiver and go along to this fun after school event showcasing a range of summer sport on offer in Selwyn. Nibbles and spot prizes included. No need to register, just turn up. Darfield Domain Email devon.bolger@starmedia.kiwi by 5pm each Wednesday Driving Skills Refresher Lincoln on Monday, 9.30am Build confidence by refreshing your knowledge of the road rules. Morning tea provided. Free. Bookings advised as spaces are limited. Email roadsafety@selwyn.govt. nz or phone 347 1867. Brought to you by the district council road safety team. Lincoln Event Centre Terrace Station Open Garden Day Hororata on Sunday, 11am-3pm Go along to see displays of violets, primroses and trilliums in the gardens and woodlands. $5 entry fee goes to the Terrace Station Charitable Trust, children free. No Eftpos. For further info about open days and group tours www.terracestation.org.nz Milnes Rd, Hororata Springston Secret Garden Working Bee Springston, Sunday, 10.30am-noon A wonderful opportunity to meet likeminded locals. Working bees are held on the first and third Sunday of every month. The aim this time is to finish off clearing the fennel forest and fence lines. Phone Tina 021 073 8092 or email springstonsecretgarden@ gmail.com Selwyn SeniorNet Lincoln on Wednesday, 10am-noon, Leeston on Thursday, 10am-noon and Rolleston on Fiday 10amnoon SeniorNet brings older The revolution in heat pumps is here now! The Fujitsu e3series The brilliant heat pumps from Fujitsu Go along to the Selwyn Aquatic Centre on Sunday to celebrate Father’s Day. Fathers will swim for free on the day so take up this opportunity to spend some quality family time together. Pool hours are 8am-8pm. adults and technology together in a friendly, fun and stress-free way. It’s for people over the age of 50 who’d like to learn more about technology and what it can do for them. To join in Rolleston or Lincoln phone Tui Heighway 027 765 5194 and for Leeston phone Terry Pierson 324 2300. Lincoln Event Centre, Leeston Library and Rolleston Men’s Shed ‘Colour Builders’ Exhibition Lincoln on Wednesday- Thursday, 11.30am-2.30pm and Friday-Sunday, 10am- 4pm Go along to see the work of mid-Canterbury artists Joy Stack and Rowena Hart. This show will feature their passion for painting in acrylic, on canvas and wood as well as multi-dimensional styles. Running until September 27. Down By The Liffey Gallery, 1 James St Markets Rolleston Farmers Market: Sunday, 9am- 12.30pm, 96 Rolleston Drive Darfield Market: Saturday, 9am-1pm, opposite Challenge Darfield, South Tce. Market@254: Saturday, 9.30am-1pm, rain or shine, 254 Lawford Rd, West Melton. Lincoln Farmers and Craft Market: Saturday, 10am-1pm, Gerald St. Leeston Market: Saturday, 9.30am-12.30pm, in front of the Leeston Cooperating Church. Running groups Rolleston Road Runners: Thursday registration from 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start. 3km, 6km and 9km options in Foster Park, next to the gravel car park. Lincoln Road Runners: Tuesday registration from 5.40pm for a 6pm start. 3km or 6km options. Starts outside Coffee Culture on Gerald St. Malvern Road Runners: Tuesday registration from 5.45pm for a 6pm start. 1.8km, 3km and 6km options. Meet at McHughs Plantation. Ellesmere Road Runners: Wednesday registration from 5.45pm, starts at 6pm. 3km or 6km walk or run. Starts from Leeston Physiotherapy. The revolution in heat pumps is here now! Say hello to Fujitsu’s latest lifestyle range HEAT PUMPS FROM $1999 inc GST INSTALLED! Conditions apply e1 : efficiency e2 : environment e3 : economy 2020 Website: www.pshc.co.nz Finance available Heat Pumps NEW ZEALAND’S FAVOURITE AIR ® Fujitsu’s Catechin Filters are approved by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ’s Sensitive Choice ® programme. FREE consultation from your local Accredited Heat Pump Expert Phone today: 03 381 6950 INSERT DEALER DETAILS HERE Email: info@pshc.co.nz
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Selwyn Times: September 02, 2020

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