News

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...

Dispersal sale of long-established South Otago stud is an opportunity to acquire the best genetics. One of New Zealand’s oldest and most respected Simmental studs is holding a dispersal sale in March. Glenside Simmental, Waitahuna, South Otago, was first established in 1985. Having recently sold...

First time use of New Zealand’s virtual saleyard extends reach for on-farm merino stud sales. A series of recent sales marks the first time bidr has taken a role in selling merino rams. Armidale, Gimmerburn, Maniototo is a 2054-hectare multi-generational property that numbers 3500 merino ewes among...

Livestock team members prevail with innovative solutions to clients’ on-farm challenges. Rising stars in the PGG Wrightson Livestock team took out the top three awards in the company’s prestigious Academy this year. A 12-month training programme offered each year to around 20 participants from...

Large volumes transact as growers hold firm and withstand market pressure to secure pay off for their commitment to value. After a slow start due to high stocks in market and low-priced activity by opportunist traders, uncertainty in the velvet market was resolved in late December. Large volumes of...

Changing mindsets, wider audience and continued response to feedback makes 2025 a watershed year for bidr. New Zealand’s most used online livestock sales platform and the sector’s predominant auction technology, bidr experienced phenomenal growth during 2025. More than 14,000 people have signed up...

Demand from safari park operators and specialised hunting guides motivates Clachanburn Station, Maniototo to put up trophy animals. Responding to demand from safari park operators and specialist hunting guides, in February Maniototo deer farmers John and Mary Falconer of Clachanburn Station are...

Mokoreta Genetics achieves near complete clearance as buyers respond to Suftex, Romney-Texel and Coopworth-Texel offering with enthusiasm. The inaugural on-farm ram sale for Eastern Southland stud Mokoreta Genetics was greeted by an enthusiastic gallery of buyers in mid-December. Owner Matt McRae...

Demand prevails for spring lambs, rams and dairy beef weaner calves as farmers seek to re-invest recent red meat profits. Livestock markets throughout the country have eased into their busy late spring-early summer mode. Strong demand for all types of livestock prevails, supporting elevated values...

Leading western Waikato and King Country studs set the scene with encouraging clearances and average prices well in excess of last year. Indications from the season’s first few ram sales confirm the sheep and beef sector’s current positive outlook. Sales held by three leading western Waikato and...

Vendors maintaining control and purchaser convenience driving increasing popularity of bidr sale. A fully online auction of approximately 1200 South Island cattle in late November attracted firm values to achieve a strong clearance. Mainly comprising steers and heifers across various breeds, plus a...

December Temuka sale likely to transact 4000 100-kilogram calves, also doubling as an IHC fund-raiser. Traditionally one of the South Island’s biggest calf sales, at Temuka Saleyards on 3 and 4 December approximately 4000 dairy beef calves are set to transact, with a proportion of the sale...

Recent addition from Takaka to Mid and South Canterbury, stopping in Chile on the way. Originally out of Golden Bay, Simon Harwood recently joined PGG Wrightson as a dairy livestock representative, taking in a seven-year spell in Chile along the way. Most recently working in a similar role for...

Edendale Station, renowned Mid-Canterbury venison stud, presents terminal sires that will attract nationwide attention. At the Edendale Deer Terminal Sire Sale on 9 January, a handful of dual-purpose elk and wapiti are likely to catch the eye among Edendale’s renowned venison genetics. On-farm at...