News

One of the best catalogues ever draws international attention A North Otago dairy genetics specialist turned over $1.266 million selling 136 cows in early April, with a top price paid for a heifer of $63,000. PGG Wrightson National Dairy Specialists Jamie Cunninghame and Andrew Reyland convened the...

Pricing should be steady, though clearances may drop Preparations for this year’s two-year-old bull sale season, which starts in early May, are now well under way. Some 130 studs nationwide are set to put their best genetics forward at auction, private sales and paddock selections, from Whangarei...

Picking the best of more than 75 years of breeding Commercial beef raisers have the opportunity to pick the best of more than 75 years of breeding at the Feilding Saleyards as the Sue Brothers bring their weaners – and their carrots – to town. Gareth Williams of PGG Wrightson, Taihape is...

Helping clients maximise their margins After completing his three year degree at Lincoln University, Jesse Houston spent a year working first on a sheep stud near Lauriston, Mid Canterbury, then a Blenheim sheep and beef property, starting his PGG Wrightson career learning the ropes for 15 months as...

Values holding firm as North Island buyers come out in force Northland’s weaner sales season enjoyed a strong start in February. Values were firm on last year, the cattle were well presented, plenty of exotic breeds sold early, and buyers from throughout the North Island were out in force. Compared...

Focus on finding buyers as farmers move stock earlier than usual Early autumn focus in the South Island livestock market was on finding buyers for lambs, and more recently calves. Because of the dry summer influencing farmers to move stock on sooner than usual, plenty of activity has followed, with...

Female dispersal sale for prominent Manawatu beef stud raises $468,700 More than 60 years of history came to an end on 8 April with a female dispersal sale staged by prominent Manawatu beef stud Atahua Angus. Approximately 140 attended the Kiwitea sale, which also attracted online bidders and...

North Otago stud showcases some of the world’s best dairy genetics High end international dairy genetics will feature at the Busybrook Holsteins Obsession sale on 10 April. Duntroon, North Otago based Busybrook, an innovator in dairy genetics, sources highly rated bloodlines from all around the...

Abundant Southland feed and demand from cropping farmers boosts market Lamb sales and ewe fairs dominated the South Island’s February livestock market. Demand from Mid Canterbury cropping farmers, and locals seeking to make the most of Southland’s abundant feed situation kept demand for store lambs...

North Island purchasers eager to support Prolonged dry conditions starting to adversely affect Marlborough farms prompted an early calf sale in the region in late February, which North Island farmers supported enthusiastically to leave all parties satisfied. With stock water dams running dry and...

Ranfurly farm sells 2500 capital stock ewes South Island-wide via bidr® A recent dispersal sale of a Ranfurly farm’s capital stock ewes was successfully carried out fully online via bidr®. Initially apprehensive about loading the entire responsibility for the sale onto bidr®, in hindsight farmer...

Ready to jump in After three years at Lincoln University completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture, and two years in Blenheim establishing himself as a livestock representative in the PGG Wrightson trainee programme, Hamish Holst is heading to Wairoa and ready for his first role as a fully...

Excellent summer of growth results in well-presented stock Around 10,000 Northland weaner calves are selling in the first half of March in a series of sales throughout the region. Ranging from Peria to Wellsford, the sales typically attract buyers from across the North Island, including from...

Angus breed champions bowing out. Alan, Michele, Colin and Louise Dalziell, owners of renowned Manawatu beef stud Atahua Angus, are bringing the curtain down on their business with a dispersal sale on 8 April. Atahua Angus was established by Alan and Colin’s parents Elsie and Verdun Dalziell in 1961...

Improving prospects prompt strong enquiry. Anyone considering selling a dairy herd this autumn should consult a PGG Wrightson Livestock representative without delay. Herds going under contract now will settle in May and June, meaning market interest picks up from February as the main season for herd...

Strong stag sale season responds to encouraging market signals for venison and velvet. Conditions for New Zealand deer farmers remain generally positive. Through the now completed stag sale season quality stock went for high prices. A couple of three-year old velvet stags sold for more than $100,000...

March dispersal sale scheduled for AngusPure partner Wairere Angus. A longstanding Taranaki beef stud is winding down, with its 19 March dispersal sale providing farmers an opportunity for some highly rated genetics. AngusPure partner Wairere Angus Stud at Meremere, near Hawera, South Taranaki was...

GO-LAMB SOUTH gaining traction as farmers take advantage. South Island farmers have a new option to trade and finish lambs. PGG Wrightson’s GO-STOCK is a livestock cashflow tool where PGG Wrightson purchases trading livestock with no outlay for the farmer. A recent addition to the GO-STOCK range, GO...