A world record held by Hawke's Bay shearer Dion King seems to be under its most serious threat since being set almost 10 years ago following a mountainous effort by Irish gun Ivan Scott during the weekend.
The solo nine-hours lambshearing record of 866 - 37.4 seconds a lamb, caught, shorn and despatched - has had only one challenge since it was set by Dion King on January 10, 2007, at Moketenui, between Te Kuiti and Bennydale, with many wondering if it will ever be broken.
The only other attempt, by Napier shearer Steve Stoney at Kahuranaki Station in November 2010, was abandoned after just two hours with the record already well out of reach.
But now Scott has staked his potential claim with an Irish ewes record of 820 shorn on Saturday in Co Mayo, Republic of Ireland.
Already the holder of the world eight-hour record of 744, shorn at Opepe, near Taupo, in January 2012, Scott is planning an attempt on King's record in Cornwall, England, on July 29, three days after Cornwall-based Hawke's Bay shearer Matthew Smith tackles the world nine-hour strongwool ewes record of 721 held by Porangahau shearer Rod Sutton, also for almost 10 years.
Gain in primary export growth
Export gains across the primary sector more than make up for recent declines dairy prices, according to minister Nathan Guy.
The Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries Report released last week show export revenue is expected to reach $36.7 billion in the year to the end of this month, $1 billion up on 2014-2015.
Mr Guy says the 3per cent increase is a pleasing result given global volatility in dairy prices.
Horticulture is the "star performer" with export revenue up 20 per cent, driven by apples, pears and wine. Seafood exports have also increased 15 per cent in value.
A full copy of the report is available at www.mpi.govt.nz.
