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HOOF
HISTORY
"Sheep farming has been crucial in the development of New Zealand's economy, and for 130 years was the most important agricultural industry" (Peden, 2015, p.1).
2000's
- Periodical decrease in wool price as meat prices periodically increase (Stringleman, 2009)
1989
-Wool exports cover greasy and degraded wool but exclude wool yarn and wool fabric (Stringleman, 2009).
1850
- Wool was NZ's main export earner(Stringleman, 2009).
1984
- End of government subsidies & greater use of synthetic fibres hastened a decline in the relative importance of wool (Stringleman, 2009).
The wool industry was first established in 1834 when 105 merino's where imported from Australia by Bell Wright. Originally, all flocks were merino, however they did not survive well in the wet coditions which led to other breeds such as Leicesters, Lincolns, Romneys, and Southdowns being imported from England (NZ's First, 2014).During the 1840's New Zealand sheep farming began to take off, with several farms being established in the Wairarapa Region. The wool industry peaked between1856 and 1967 but stayed strong right up until 1987 (NZ's First, 2014). During this period the industry was the countries most valuable export and ,in addition with meat, was the staple in New Zealand's agricultural earnings. In 1882 New Zealand developed its own breed of sheep called Corriedale which is now exported to large international wool companies. Since the late 1980's the dairy industry began to take off and by 1992 had suppased the returns from those of the sheep industry. After the peak 70.3 million sheep in 1982, the numbers of sheep have since decreased with the count as low as 29.6 million in 2014 (Stringleman, 2009).
Present
"The NZ wool industry is currently weak and fragmented to the point of being dysfunctional" (Faulkner, 2015, p.12).
This graph shows the clear decrease in the relative export prices of wool from 1925 till 2012.
Currently New Zealand's wool industry contributes less than 2% of the international export returns (Faulkner, 2012). As dairy and meat industries become the highest profit recievers, they have quickly become the most popular agricultural activities and many wool farmers have changed to these industries. Due to the production of synthetic fibres, wool is no longer a nessesity and is the less popular opition of the two, as synthetics are cheaper to manufacter. In recent years synthectic fibres hold many similar characteristics to wool and so wools unique qualities are no longer appreciated. A main cause in the fall of the industry is "unmotivated supply chains selling to consumers with outdated perceptions of products" (Faulkner, 2012, p. 13). This means that industries are selling the same products that lack inovation and therefore customers have lost interest in the material. However, in recent overseas activity, a movement in the USA has started to advertise wool in a new light and focuses on wools natural and unique characteristics. This group is called the Campaign for Wool and targets a particular niche. This has seen much success and is a concept that that be immiteated in New Zealand (Faulkner, 2012).
References
Faulkner, S. (2012). Hello New Zealand Wool- This is the Future Speaking.
Retrieved from http://www.nuffield.org.nz/uploads/media/2012-Sandra-Faulkner.pdf
Ministry of Culture and Heritage. (2014). NZ's first sheep released.
Retrieved from http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/first-sheep-released-in-new-zealand
Stringleman, H. (2015). Sheepfarming- Importance of the sheep Industry.
Retrieved from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/sheep-farming/page-1
Figure 1. Statistics New Zealand. (2012). Historical wool export [Digital visualization].
Retrieved from http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/prices_indexes/historical-wool-export- prices-volumes-2011.asp
Tess Ponen
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