News

Bulls, cull cows, two-year-old cattle, store lambs and dairy herds all changing hands as livestock markets ease into regular seasonal shift. Nationwide livestock markets are almost in winter mode. Although dry districts in some pockets of the South Island would benefit from rain, most farmers have...

Image credit to: Sentient Imagery Limited . New bidr option proves its worth, underpinning demand and reaching nationwide market at South Otago Simmental stud’s annual bull sale. A new format for bidr, an online helmsman auction, proved its worth at this year’s Beresford Simmental bull sale...

Multi-generational Te Awamutu butchery turns to PGG Wrightson to supply new operation producing pulled meat for nationwide distribution. A new opportunity has arisen for Waikato and King Country farmers producing Hereford cattle. A long-established local butcher has turned to PGG Wrightson to...

Looking forward to whatever the future holds. Growing up on his parents’ Bindy and Steve Free’s Dannevirke sheep and beef farm, Max Free always knew farming was in his future. “Being outdoors in the landscape, working alongside inspiring people, seeing the country: I’ve always been drawn to that.”...

In-fawn hinds from Altrive Red Deer, Riversdale continue to prove the benefits of bidr to find buyers for premium bloodlines. A Southland deer stud, the first in the country to use bidr, is preparing for its eighth annual in-fawn winter hind sale on New Zealand’s virtual saleyard. Altrive Red Deer...

Interest rates, returns and renewed bank enthusiasm boost sector and stimulate activity on dairying’s biggest day. This year’s Moving Day, the start of the new dairy season and one of the most important on the rural calendar, was one of the busiest for several years. Reduced interest rates, strong...

Abundant feed a positive for breeders and purchasers, with similar trends at play for trade in store lambs. This autumn’s series of calf sales has almost run its course, with just the sales of high- country calves scheduled for May in Blenheim and Canterbury. On the back of the positive beef market...

Several long-established studs set to mark important anniversaries in what could be another bumper year. During last year’s two-year-old bull sales numerous records fell across the country. With all the fundamentals continuing to support optimism in beef, this could also be a stellar year. However...

Substantial support for premium dairy genetics, and rising cow price through forward herd sales underscore sector positivity. Confidence in dairy is strong. Despite some falls in Global Dairy Trade auctions during April, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, Fonterra recently lifted its 2025/26...

Making opportunities and creating growth. Opportunity is a recurring theme in the near 40-year career of Tom Mowat: opportunities he’s taken, and opportunities he’s created for others. Coming back to a role he previously held between 2015 and 2018, Tom was recently re-appointed as PGG Wrightson...

How to save time and fuel by using New Zealand’s virtual saleyard to buy stock. Farmers in remote districts are taking particular advantage of bidr to save time and fuel. A PGG Wrightson Livestock sheep, beef and dairy representative based in Taumarunui, Marty Cashin works with numerous clients in...

North Otago catalogue of international calibre cows set to raise the bar once again. A Trans-Tasman sale of world-class dairy cows is shaping to reach new heights. North Otago dairy genetics enthusiast Busybrook Holsteins has gradually built a unique offering of international calibre cows, alongside...

Healthy beef schedules and widespread feed abundance dictating positive mood and excellent demand. As weaner and calf sales dominate livestock agendas in the North and South Islands respectively, prices are riding the highs of strong beef schedules and abundant feed. In the North Island weaners are...

Genetics team working hard behind the scenes to co-ordinate sales throughout the country in what promises to be a bumper season. This year’s bull sale season, starting in May, is set to be a big one. Bull sales represent one of the busiest times of the year for the PGG Wrightson Livestock Genetics...

Large Lee Stream and Hindon, Otago offering attracts buyers from across lower South Island, with Mid Canterbury arable farmers to the fore. In mid-March four Outram, Otago stations offered approximately 21,000 lambs combined for a series of back-to-back on-farm sales. Silverpeaks Station, Monterey...

Bringing enthusiasm and unique experience to a new role. Lisa Nolan became the newest member of the PGG Wrightson Livestock Genetics team in late January. Appointed to the role covering Otago and South Westland, Lisa succeeds Callum McDonald after his recent promotion to National Genetics Manager...

Buyers welcome bidr introduction at Frankton and Tuakau sales – online option set for introduction at more saleyards in spring. Autumn feeder calf sales at the Frankton and Tuakau Saleyards have started well, with plenty of interest in the calves coming through, and strong motivation to make the...

Recognising the impact of the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme in rural communities through Pink Week. For more than four decades, the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme has been making a meaningful difference in rural communities across New Zealand; made possible thanks to the ongoing support of farmers and the wider...