News

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...

Excellent feed conditions and buoyant schedule setting the scene for record prices in this year’s weaner sales season. Always a big event on the livestock calendar, with the current levels of enthusiasm for beef, the North Island weaner sales season is set to have a bumper year this year. Starting...

Buyers motivated for sales at Tuakau and Frankton through March, April and May, set to peak at 1600 calves per week. Autumn calf sales in Waikato look set to endorse the positive mindset around red meat at present. With plenty of feed on the ground, farmers are well placed to take advantage. Judging...

AGM, visits to seven local studs, and experiencing the best of Northland set to feature in tour for Angus industry aficionados. Approximately 65 Angus breeders from throughout the country will congregate in Northland later in March as the region hosts the Angus New Zealand AGM , and visits to seven...

Elevated commodity prices and abundance of feed create heavy demand at Masterton Cattle Fair. One of the best Wairarapa livestock sales in recent memory took place last month. Held in late February, the Masterton Cattle Fair reflected farmer confidence derived from excellent commodity prices and the...

Meikleburn, Clayton and Four Peaks stations combine to offer 13,000 lambs, expecting plenty of buyers, including from mixed cropping sector. Almost 13,000 lambs were offered at the season’s final South Canterbury on-farm lamb sale on 10 March. Sales at three Fairlie high country properties...

A South Island livestock career that has taken him down more different farm drives than most. Michael Coote took on the newly created role of PGG Wrightson South Island Livestock Supply Chain Manager in January, shifting back to the company after around 20 years in livestock-related roles with a...

Enthusiastic response as farmers take advantage of relatively rare access to specific bloodlines at handful of sales. A handful of February dispersal and flock reduction sales has marked a changing of the guard among some sheep breeds. Sales include the Pikoview Sufftex dispersal for Wilson and Val...

Accurate birth records strengthen bio security while contributing to high value export opportunities for New Zealand farmers. Image supplied by OSPRI, featuring farmer, Christine Angland. Please note that the quality of the image has been enhanced using AI. Strong biosecurity and access to high...

Store lambs, two tooths and ewes all in heavy demand as confidence in sheep industry returns. With encouraging commodity pricing and plenty of feed in the paddock, 2026 is off to a promising start in most regions. Farmers picking up on the positives are driving livestock markets ahead. Strong demand...

More stock, big lines and higher values feature at the on-farm sale of one of the Tararua district’s most admired properties. Big lines of quality livestock met a positive response at the second annual Waewaepa Station On-Farm Sheep and Steer Sale on 13 January. Hardy hill country genetics, proven...

Global dairy trade auctions, dairy conversions and sharemilker appointments drive elevated market. Buyer inquiry for dairy herds has been elevated over the past few weeks. With recent global dairy trade auctions pushing forecast returns higher, buyers outnumber sellers, demand has risen, and herd...

Doing it successfully with a deer career. Having spent most of his life with deer, in November last year Hayden Byars took on a new role as PGG Wrightson deer specialist for Southland. Hayden’s father Peter started farming deer, at the family farm in Merino Downs, Waikaka, Eastern Southland, when...