News

Bernie McGahan left school after sitting School Certificate. “Dad became ill and needed my help on the farm. Although I’d always thought I’d get a farming job, I was a bit anxious because I hadn’t passed my exams. Once my father recovered, I needed to find myself a job. Previously he had farmed...

Steve Wilkinson loves seeing a plan come together. As Lower North Island regional manager for PGG Wrightson Livestock, covering a broad and diverse part of the country, taking in the large hill country units around Taihape, the variety of Wairarapa and Dannevirke, lush productive land in Manawatu...

Average prices up from last year, as Korean market propels demand for velvet January stag sales are a highlight of the deer farming year. After a productive Southland spring, the quality and weight of animals offered at this year’s auctions was excellent, and buyers responded positively, despite...

Planning ahead is the key to success for buyers and sellers. The guidance for anyone planning to sell or buy a dairy herd this autumn is clear: talk to your PGG Wrightson Livestock representative today. Strong global prices contributed to solid herd sales last year. Although the payout trend is less...

On-farm field days provide substantial gains for beef farmers In 2021, along with several like-minded industry partners, PGG Wrightson initiated ‘What’s the Beef,’ seeking to add significant value to the bottom line for commercial beef farmers. This year, after a Covid-enforced break, the farmer...

Famers increasingly using PGG Wrightson stock procurement tool to ease cashflow PGG Wrightson Livestock launched Go-Stock in December 2016. Six years later Go-Stock recently reached two significant milestones: the two millionth lamb purchased on a Go-Lamb contract, and the 300,000th cattle beast...

Abundant feed drives heavy demand Commencing in early January, South Island store lamb sales are delivering excellent results for breeders. With plenty of moisture in most areas, feed is abundant in quantity and excellent in quality, motivating strong demand. As works schedules have dropped away...

Good values based on heavy demand and excellent stock condition feature in most sales Regular rainfall and mild weather prior to Christmas resulted in exceptional grass growth in most North Island districts, enabling farmers to retain greater numbers of stock than they would expect through what is...

Opawa Downs, Albury, puts up 600 Simmental-Herefords to enthusiastic response Early in October 2400 hectare Albury, South Canterbury farm Opawa Downs put up 600 Simmental-Hereford cross cattle at the property’s fifth annual on-farm sale, which resulted in a full clearance. Opawa Simmentals’ owners...

Enjoying the challenge, and the grand country After Jack Cartridge joined PGG Wrightson in June 2021, he spent 14 months as a trainee in North and South Canterbury, graduating to the role of livestock agent in Murchison in August. Although he found the new role daunting at the start, he enjoys the...

Farming background a big help in new role Like many others who work in agriculture, Jess Davies grew up on a farm. She always knew she wanted to work in agriculture. In her case however, where she is now is 18,000 kilometres from home. Jess is from Shropshire, western England, near the border with...

PGG Wrightson talent looking to show their prowess at national auction competition Featuring ahead of this year’s NZ Agricultural Show in Christchurch in November is the 11th annual Heartland Bank Young Auctioneers Competition. PGG Wrightson dominated last year to take out the quinella when Manawatu...

Ron Schroeder receives New Zealand Deer Industry Award Ron Schroeder, PGG Wrightson Livestock’s Upper South Island Deer Specialist, was recently awarded the deer industry’s highest honour. Each year the New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association presents its New Zealand Deer Industry Award. This year, in...

PGG Wrightson auctioneer helps raise $100,000 plus for Farmstrong PGG Wrightson is proud to be associated with the annual Norwood Charity Golf Tournament in support of Farmstrong, a golf day fund-raiser, plus dinner and auction, which this year raised $106,925 for the rural well-being charity. Kevin...

Chilled export venison schedules up 25 per cent and velvet demand stable Spring venison schedules for chilled exports are 25 per cent above last year, currently up to $8.85 per kilogram. While this does not match lamb and beef values, exporters are optimistic about venison’s outlook. Cooler...

bidr sale showcasing rams with highest level facial eczema tolerance An online sale of elite FE tolerant East Coast rams is scheduled on bidr for 4 November. On behalf of St Leger Superior Genetics up to a dozen top Romney rams are on offer, all having tested to the highest level for facial eczema...

High clearance rates and firm pricing as buyers chase specific characteristics to suit breeding programmes Prices were strong and clearances high at more than 60 yearling bull sales around the country through the six weeks to mid-October. Purchasers have been buying to fulfil the needs of specific...

Lambing percentages good, though warm days late arriving In the South Island the main recent focus for the livestock market has been moving on last year’s lambs, and processing spring cattle sales. On the positive, it has been a good lambing season, featuring strong percentages on most farms and...