Crossbred prices fall, buyers chasing merino

The beginning of the new-season merino wool saw a full bench of buyers competing strongly for all micron categories. Photo / File

Crossbred wool prices continue to be seriously challenged with a further drop in prices at last week's South Island wool sale in Christchurch.

The offering of very well grown pre-lamb crossbred fleece failed to attract buyers, allowing the market to slip by up to 4%.

That was a concern, considering it was just the beginning of new season wool, Roger Fuller, of CP Wool, said.

A highlight was mid micron and merino types. Substantial increases for well-prepared halfbred wool attracted good competition.

The beginning of the new-season merino wool saw a full bench of buyers competing strongly for all micron categories.

That followed on from strong lifts last week in Australia which recorded prices at levels not seen for many years, Mr Fuller said.

A range of prices - Willowglen Farms Ltd (Ranfurly), 38 bales crossbred AA, 35.6 micron, 77.1% yield, 251 greasy, 326 clean; Dowling Ltd (Ranfurly), 34 bales Romney AA, 36 micron, 78.9% yield, 259 greasy, 328 clean; A Denham (Otago), 24 bales crossbred second-shear, 41.1 micron, 81.4% yield, 226 greasy, 277 clean; Coolavin Farms (Otago), seven bales crossbred hogget, 33.6 micron, 78% yield, 341 greasy, 437 clean, 26 bales crossbred AA, 38.5 micron, 81.6% yield, 254 greasy, 311 clean; D D McGregor (Otago), 36 bales crossbred AA, 38.4 micron, 83.1% yield, 254 greasy, 306 clean; M J Prebble (Otago), 22 bales medium halfbred, 27.2 micron, 78.1% yield, 806 greasy, 1032 clean; J and C McKenzie (Middlemarch), four bales merino 2-tooth, 16.9 micron, 72.7% yield, 1850 greasy, 2545 clean, two bales merino, 16 micron, 73.4% yield, 1961 greasy, 2672 clean, seven bales merino, 16.9 micron, 74.2% yield, 1910 greasy, 2574 clean, four bales merino, 17.9 micron, 74.4% yield, 1641 greasy, 2206 clean; H McKay (Middlemarch), two bales fine quarter AA, 19.6 micron, 74% yield, 1399 greasy, 1898 clean; four bales fine halfbred AA, 21.6 micron, 72.4% yield, 1216 greasy, 1679 clean, six bales medium halfbred, 22.6 micron, 74.2% yield, 1170 greasy, 1577 clean; Cottesbrook Ltd (Middlemarch), six bales merino AA, 16.6 micron, 70.1% yield, 1841 greasy, 2626 clean.

- Otago Daily Times