By Glenys Christian
Over the gate
Agriculture has always been based around good relationships.
There's the neighbour's trailer on permanent loan, the stock and station agent whose perpetual afternoon tea visits appear to result in better stock prices and the dairy farm discussion group that gets down to the real issues.
But increasingly these relationships are being forged across much greater distances.
One of the boldest approaches has been taken by Merino New Zealand.
At its conference in Christchurch last week, fine wool producers heard of contacts made throughout Europe, North Asia and the United States.
More than 15 per cent of their clip is being sold by direct contracts with spinners and weavers and this is boosting the new season's auction prices, as those who have not signed up rush to secure the supplies they require.
Merino New Zealand's European manager, Andrew Caughey, is now based in Italy, in the heart of the area which has made its reputation from weaving the world's finest fibres into the most sought-after fabrics. As an example of how long-distance relationships are beginning to have an impact on New Zealand farmers' incomes, he told of his recent meeting with Critt Rawlings, the president of Oxxford Clothing.
Mr Rawlings, an American, addressed the conference two years ago wearing the first suit made from pure New Zealand merino.
His company is now working with merino cloth produced by British spinner Peter Halstead.
That company is marketing the Kaikoura range of merino fabrics, some of which are being used in womenswear made by the Chloe label.
Oxxford Clothing is also supplied by Italian weaver Loro Piana, who will buy wool from more than 200 merino producers this season. This fibre will end up in a range of pure merino suits to be sold through the upmarket United States stores of Neimann Marcus.
A promotional letter featuring photos of New Zealand scenery will be mailed to the top 600 suit customers, inviting them to buy one of the garments and so enter a competition to visit Auckland for the America's Cup and to tread the merino trail through the South Island's spectacular high country.
Sights such as these attracted a Northern Irish farming couple back to New Zealand last week.
Hilda Stewart may not be a household name, but she heads an organisation boasting a worldwide membership of nine million.
The Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) comprises 365 groups in 70 countries.
For Mrs Stewart the organisation's aim is simple: to discuss agricultural issues which are remarkably similar around the world, with developed countries helping those less fortunate.
"Rural communities do matter," she said. "Our role is to make sure we have a more vocal role in the whole economy."
As part of this thrust, the ACWW's South Pacific area conference she attended on her way to New Zealand is to write to US President Bill Clinton protesting about the tariffs placed on New Zealand and Australian lamb exports. But a Wellsford farmer, Gordon Levet, has taken a different approach to the controversy, deciding that if you can't beat them, trade with them.
A friendship he struck up with a farmer in upper New York State has resulted in one of his in-lamb Romney ewes being flown to the American's property last week.
* Glenys Christian's e-mail address is glenys@farmindex.co.nz