News the Government is putting $17.25 million into a wool research consortium is being hailed as the start of a new era in wool science.
Wool Partners Co-operative expects to be profitable after its first year of trading, according to forecasts released in its revised prospectus.
The feud over which organisation will represent the majority of New Zealand strong wool growers has escalated.
More than half of the $65 million required to launch a new strong wool buying and marketing co-operative has been raised, but acrimony, claims and counter-claims continue to dog the proposal.
The promoters of a new strong-wool buying and marketing co-operative are expected to announce today a second extension in the deadline for farmers to buy shares.
Growers of crossbred wool have only days left to decide whether to commit to Wool Partners Co-operative.
Agriculture Minister David Carter has labelled as "poisonous" a campaign mounted by opponents of a proposed new structure for the wool industry.
Bankers remain committed to lending to sheep and beef farmers, but that support is tempered by concerns about the sector's long-term economic performance.
By next September, New Zealand's lamb kill is expected to have fallen six million in six years, raising questions about where it will all end. Data released by Beef and Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ)...
The debate over a new industry structure for strong wool has turned nasty, with allegations opponents of change were spreading misinformation to undermine discussion and protecting their turf.
Backers of a new strong wool grower-owned co-operative are confident they will get the necessary farmer support, saying the alternative is untenable.
Strengthening of the New Zealand dollar took the steam out of the rising wool market at last week's combined sale of North Island and South Island wool.
One of the architects of the formation of the New Zealand Merino Company says a lack of trust is holding back reform of the strong wool industry.
The latest entity charged with saving the strong wool industry needs enough cash to have clout in the market and to also drive consolidation in the wool industry, say its promoters.