News

Fall in ewe numbers emphasises focus on quality genetics. Running through November, December and January, although this year’s ram sale season reflected the falling number of ewes in the national flock, overall the sales exceeded expectations. Going into the season the number of rams offered...

Good grass growth keeps trading options alive for North and South Island farmers. Plenty of moisture across much of the country has kept trading options alive in most districts. Continued grass growth well into the summer is creating opportunities for North and South Island farmers, in turn...

Loving being part of a cool team of calm, collected people. Moving from a government agency into agriculture has been a change for a new member of the PGG Wrightson Livestock team. Gabby Swift started with the company in July having worked for the previous seven years in government positions, mainly...

Rare opportunity to buy ‘world’s cutest sheep’ . A reduction sale featuring a rare sheep breed that is winning fans the world over should attract plenty of interest in February, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Swiss heritage breed Valais Blacknose are reckoned to be the cutest sheep in the world...

Stag sale looking to capitalise on good news around venison schedule. One of the New Zealand’s top venison studs is holding its annual on farm sale this month. Located one kilometre northwest of Taihape, Ruapehu Red Deer’s two-year-old sire stag sale, on 13 December, will offer 30 plus lots. Click...

Final event at Netherdale will be a highlight of this season’s stag sales. One of Southland’s most respected deer breeders will end an era early in the new year. Netherdale Red Deer Stud, has been a key part of the deer industry in Southland for more than a generation. In 1979 David Stevens...

Spring grass growth provides buyers with confidence. Dairy beef is in solid demand at sales throughout the country, with North Island sales already under way, and sales in the South Island commencing before the end of November. The majority of sales are scheduled before Christmas, though a few in...

Growth, early weaning weight and fertility attracting top dollar. Ram sales started in the North Island in mid-November and are due to follow shortly in the South Island. Results have been mixed. While some studs are quietly satisfied, others have fallen short of expectations. The number of rams...

Early lambs sales more hesitant Spring cattle sales have just been completed in the South Island. Current positive schedules and good feed conditions throughout most South Island regions meant stock sold well, especially well-bred traditional cattle. Early lambs sales, including in paddock sales...

Unusual variant attracting attention for more than 90 years. While Hereford cattle are traditionally red bodied with white heads and other markings, a Wanganui cattle breeder has a theory, supported by more than 90 years’ of evidence, that there may be more to the breed. Lindsay Johnstone, along...

Giving it a good crack Like father, like son and like many others who trade sheep and cattle, Lars Hardy is a second generation livestock representative. His father Chris originally started as a rep with Wrightsons in Manawatu in 1990, before going farming himself, first on leased properties...

Relating to farmers Born and bred on Blackbridge, a Simmental stud 20 minutes south of Kerikeri, some of Troy Vujcich’s earliest memories are being out on the family farm. After school he went to Victoria University in Wellington where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce. “I quickly realised that I...

Exponential growth in demand for genetics Poor wool returns over many years, alongside increasing shearing costs, are inevitably leading to strong interest in shedding sheep. Although controversial alongside the history and traditional profitability of growing wool, many farmers are scouting the...

Esk Valley farmers with their own take on innovative Australian breed A recently developed Australian shedding sheep is making its first impact in New Zealand, with an on-farm sale scheduled for 16 November at a property that is pioneering the breed. Dean and Antoinette Martin farm 244 hectare...

Taihape farming family fully sold on shedding sheep On behalf of his parents Greg and Jocelyn, Charles Bennett manages his family’s property Waitui, on 343 hectares of hill country at Tiriraukawa, 26 kilometres southwest of Taihape. Faced with the ongoing challenge of minimising costs and maximising...

Record yearling bull sale achieved online bidr® continues to build on its reputation as a powerful force in the livestock market, recognised by buyers for the ease and convenience of procuring stock without leaving home, and providing sellers with a nationwide selling platform broader than...

Purchasers taking a functional approach to their bulls this year This year’s yearling bull sales have delivered good clearances, albeit the values of the bulls offered is down by $300 to $500 per head compared to last year. Dairy farmers have not been prepared to exceed the $3,000 mark with their...

Limited supply of cows means quality lines are selling fast Across the country dairy livestock market activity is heavily focused on quality in milk and close to profit cows. With limited numbers available over the past few weeks, cows that have come forward through the North Island auction system...