News

PGG Wrightson’s most accomplished young rural professionals test their skills against the best of the rest. Pictured is: Cam Gray, Peter Newbold (Livestock GM) & Lars Hardy (runner up) after last years competition. Four young PGG Wrightson livestock representatives are up for the challenge of taking...

Strong markets and favourable processor schedules spell good news for farmers, though some regions challenged by adverse climatic conditions. Strong demand for all types of livestock continues to support elevated values throughout the country. In a period where the last of the old season’s lambs...

After nine years as PGG Wrightson Livestock National Genetics Manager, he’s pulling on his boots and rolling up his sleeves. Callum Stewart has been a member of the PGG Wrightson Livestock National Genetics team since 2008, and its manager since 2016. Deciding it’s time for a refresh, both for...

Sixteen two tooth rams out of an innovative embryo transplant programme present improved shedding characteristics and better carcasses. Genetics to take shedding sheep to a new level in New Zealand, the result of a highly focused three-year embryo import programme, are available for the first time...

What makes a Forester stag ideal to breed replacement hinds? – and the easy cashflow option for farmers to defer payment on stag acquisitions. Looming large on the deer industry calendar, Peel Forest Estate’s upcoming on-farm Forrester Sire Sale, scheduled for 12 December, should test the strength...

Hawke’s Bay Hereford achieved New Zealand yearling record, while Bay of Plenty stud sends bulls nationwide. Two recent yearling bull sales left vendors and purchasers smiling, none with wider grins than the buyer and seller of a Hawke’s Bay Hereford bull that achieved a New Zealand record of $29,500...

From last season’s lambs to beef and dairy beef feeder calves, plus dairy cows and heifers – all types and all breeds selling well. Supply and demand factors ensured values across all livestock types remained solid through September. As always, weather conditions influenced decisions. Fewer than...

From turning his rugby talent into a visa to see the world, to learning his craft back at home base in his Wairarapa heartland. When Rihi Brown graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) in 2012, the opportunity arose to play rugby overseas. A talented open side...

Exceptional clearances and doubling values as yearlings continue momentum set by record breaking two-year-old bull sales. This year’s yearling bull sales are following the trends of the record breaking two-year-old bull sales that went so well early in the winter. Most of the North Island yearling...

Fairs start in Waikato in mid-October, set to run through Christmas and into January. Regular fairs in Waikato from mid-October will signal the start of the dairy beef weaner season, which will also commence in Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Manawatu by the end of the month. With so many livestock...

Top herd nationwide, with cows averaging 800 kilograms of milk solids per annum, offered at on-farm and online auction. Update: Herd sold ahead of schedule! Since the release of this article, there has been an exceptional level on interest in the herd. As a result, the vendor was offered a deal on...

Lambing in progress, markets historically high, store cattle demand strong and calf rearing grows in popularity as spring commences. Despite reduced seasonal throughput, markets for both sheep and cattle are holding firm at historically high levels. Lambing is under way in most of the country with...

East Coast farming fraternity goes above and beyond as record beating Cancer Society fundraiser tops $65,000. Generosity shown by farmers at an annual East Coast fundraiser has given one of the country’s most cherished charities a big boost. Raising more than $65,000 on the day, the 2025 Matawhero...

Performance of the dairy and beef markets, and the outlook for both, should spur yearling bull sales to greater heights. Yearling bull sales are upon us. More than 50 sales will take place throughout the country, running through to mid-October, with plenty of yearling bulls also set to sell via...

One time Riverton ‘Dag Basher’ now making his way as Invercargill-based trainee sheep and beef representative. Elliot Warrender grew up on his parents’ Craig and Debbie’s Riverton dairy farm. “They know how to work hard, which is what they’ve done their whole lives. They converted the farm, which...

Optimism returns as farmers stand by to benefit from favourable export and climatic conditions, though stock shortages could impact the opportunity. As transactions of livestock go into winter mode, farmers can look forward to the coming spring and summer with some confidence. Global beef cattle...

Easier access to nationwide cattle market goes live on 1 September for farmers trading through Temuka Saleyards. Farmers selling cattle at the South Island’s largest saleyard will have more direct access to buyers nationwide from 1 September when bidr takes over as the online selling platform at...

Farmer generosity with sheep donations set to provide Daffodil Day benefit for the Cancer Society. On 13 August the annual Marton Hogget Fair is scheduled for the Feilding Saleyards. Over the past few years, the event has doubled as a Daffodil Day fundraiser, which this year in particular should...