News

Defer-a-Bull proving a smart option to manage cashflow around bull procurement Sales of service bulls for dairy farmers are set to commence in mid-September. Those with a forward plan to secure their bulls for the season will stay ahead. Starting a discussion with your livestock representative early...

Northland bull "Reality" tops auction at $340 per straw PGG Wrightson’s second annual online bull semen sale, featuring some of New Zealand's premium Angus and Hereford genetics, was conducted on bidr on 24 August 2022. Northland Angus bull Matauri Reality 839 stole the headlines, with 43 of his...

Sunshine required to initiate spring flush – and re-energise livestock markets July and August are traditionally the quietest months for South Island livestock markets. This year has been no exception, in fact the wetter than usual winter reduced activity still further. Yarding numbers have been...

Values holding firm, though tallies reduced for cattle and hoggets Winter weather has impacted North Island livestock tallies, with a noticeable reduction of the flow of stock into saleyards. Solid processor schedules continue to underpin the strong market for cattle and hoggets. When hoggets are...

Second annual online semen sale will showcase elite beef genetics Trans-Tasman. PGG Wrightson’s second annual online bull semen sale is scheduled for 24 August 2022. This is an excellent opportunity for the country’s premier stud businesses to showcase their elite genetics to the Trans-Tasman market...

Right at home in Waikato North Waikato is home for Stephen Hickey. Not only did he grow up on his parents’ 250 hectare, 650 cow Te Kauwhata dairy farm, he sharemilked the property for them for 25 years. Then he became a livestock representative for PGG Wrightson in 2017, initially for two and a half...

Taking off your business hat and becoming a friend Before he went into livestock, Paul Anthony spent 25 years bringing machinery and cars to New Zealand from all around the world, which taught him a few lessons, and left him with a public health warning attached. “Dealing with different people in...

High demand from motivated gallery results in excellent competition and notable prices This year’s Temuka in-lamb ewe fair, on 6 July, attracted plenty of interest, with high demand from a motivated buying gallery. As a result the better ewes in each class sold well. Compared to the 2021 sale...

Good demand for both store and finished stock As the availability of processing space for cattle became easier to obtain, the South Island market for store cattle has lifted. Finishers are paying premiums for cattle that can be finished in the spring. Due to raising schedules premiums are being paid...

Store markets, bull sales season and dairy calf prospects all solid through the winter Variable North Island weather in June reinforced that winter is here, accompanied by a rapid decline in grass and a battle against the mud. Inevitably, stock flowing to market through June was inconsistent, though...

Good year to sell bulls, even better for buyers This year’s two year old bull sales season started in May Overall it has been a good year to sell bulls, though an even better season for buyers. PGG Wrightson Livestock conducted 110 bull sales in 2022, and the quality of this year’s offering...

Vendors and purchasers urged to plan now, or miss out later Early July signals the first in-milk cows coming to the market. Based on projections for the dairy payout, demand for quality cows is trending to the positive. However, farmers looking to increase herd size in the spring need to realise...

Rearers need on-sell commitment now on probable margins before taking calves to carry through to 100 kilograms Northern feeder calf sales started relatively well in early July, and will progress through the rest of the country to reach Southland by mid-August. While the early well-bred calves will...

The closest job to farming Ever since he was a young lad Shaun Rowe has been a farmer. “At the age of six I started my own flock of half a dozen ewes, taking the lambs to the Stratford saleyards,” he says. Shaun’s parents have a 10 hectare Stratford lifestyle block where they graze dairy heifers. “I...

Setting your own style and being confident in yourself Ben McKerchar grew up on a Winton sheep and beef farm, while his father Ross was a well-known Southland livestock agent. From as far back as he can remember, Ben was constantly in and around the saleyards, developing a strong interest in the...

Scheme has put 1.9 million lambs and 270,000 cattle onto New Zealand farms since 2016 Inverness is a 1600 hectare extensive sheep and beef property on the rolling Cheviot hills. Carrying 9300 stock units, Inverness uses Go-Stock, an innovative solution for the on-farm cash flow challenges that can...

Purchasers react favourably after Covid-related capacity shortfalls overcome North Island livestock sales through April remained at exceptional levels. Earlier concern around stocking rates potentially under pressure due to a backlog of prime stock still on farm, delayed with processors beset by...

Potential $9 schedule keeps buyer interest steady, though stags more popular than hinds April’s weaner deer sales showed renewed confidence in venison after two challenging years brought low returns for breeders and finishers. At the only North Island weaner sale, the Taihape Weaner Fair in Waiouru...