News

Why a Whanganui based sheep and beef representative with a shearing background enjoys the farming variety of his home region. Whanganui raised, Jimmy McDonald grew up on a lifestyle block, which gave him all the motivation necessary to opt for a career on the land. Jimmy has been a Whanganui based...

It’s rare to know where your wool ends up. It’s even more uncommon to see it come full circle, from your farm through the supply chain and back into a finished product on a store shelf in New Zealand. For Andrew and Heidi Jamison of Meikleburn Station in Fairlie, the wool they produce doesn’t just...

Epic season for breeders as farmers intent on securing the best genetics available drive this year’s two-year-old bull sales to new record levels. This year’s two-year-old bull sales season ranks as one of the best ever, with large crowds attending, full clearances the norm and record prices...

North Island tallies consistent and sales brisk, while South Island experiences reduced throughput after busy autumn. Although many eyes have been on bull sales, elsewhere in the livestock market customary seasonal ebbs and flows are evident. Tallies through major North Island saleyards remain...

Supply-demand likely to favour calf rearers, making forward contracts a worthwhile option. With values around livestock at present, anyone seeking to rear calves this year should be in for a rewarding season. However, to maximise on-sell values, lining up a forward contract is worth considering...

bidr Upper South Island territory manager combines skills honed in the outback, and on the laptop. Growing up on a 200 hectare family sheep, beef and mixed cropping farm outside Buchan, Victoria, in 2022 at age 22 Elle Woodgate ( pronouced Ell-e) became a livestock representative in east Gippsland...

Venison on the rise and taking up the slack as velvet returns are challenged by saturated market. While both products remain critical to keeping stock behind the wire, New Zealand’s deer industry production has always swung between venison and velvet. That pendulum has shifted again. Velvet volumes...

Inaugural sale at renowned Western Southland sheep and beef station generates outstanding returns from a large gallery – both in person, and via bidr. Large Western Southland sheep and beef station Mount Linton’s inaugural cattle sale in early May was met by a favourable reception from a wide...

New Wairarapa manager brings detailed local knowledge derived from several generations of farming in the region. Andrew McKay has just taken over as the PGG Wrightson Livestock manager for Wairarapa. He steps into the role following four years with the company as a rep in the region. Coming from a...

Southland farmer with surplus in-milk cows achieves success and surpasses expectations by targeting bidr’s fastest growing and most engaged buyers. Aiming to maximise the value of surplus in-calf in-milk Friesian dairy cows, Southland farmer Murray Shallard found a ready answer in bidr. Working...

Positive trends continue for cattle farmers, with many seeking out the best available genetics. This year’s two-year-old bull sales season started with a flourish in mid-May, with plenty of bulls available, and the temperate autumn setting them up in excellent condition. Usually slow to begin, this...

Buoyant outlook, procurement pressure and above average export returns driving favourable market for all livestock classes. Across all species, ages and breeds of livestock, market returns maintained upward trends over the past month, with values at record levels. A strong outlook for both red meat...

Good weather and healthy schedules leading to firm demand at weaner calf fairs and store lamb sales. With markets responding to positive climatic and market conditions, whether in the paddock or the saleyard, there is optimism about. Indifferent North Island weather has resulted in varying moisture...

Keen market expected in May and June, while purchasers with a smart genetics programme are set to maximise benefit at the sales. This year’s two-year-old bull sale season commences in mid-May and will run for a six-week period. After a profitable season of weaner sales, featuring record prices...

Multi-generational dispersal sales attract nationwide attention, indicating dairy sector’s current buoyancy. A couple of April dispersal sales of elite multi-generational dairy herds indicate the current strength of the market in the sector, and continued positivity among farmers, who are...

Winner of the supreme Southland Environment Award, an intensively managed 164-hectare deer farm, has benefited from progressive improvement over the past 20 years. A Lochiel deer farm, adhering to an intensive though highly productive system, has won the supreme Southland Environment Award and will...

Around 180 shepherds accompanied by 460 dogs ready to compete in one of rural calendar’s most time honoured and well-loved events. At least 180 competitors will bring some 460 working dogs to the central North Island in early May for this year’s edition of one of the most time honoured and well...

In the first few months of his new career, one of our Canterbury based trainees, originally from the Central North Island, shares his impressions of the role. Meeting new people, going new places, and learning new ideas sums up Lachie Crafar’s experience of life as a livestock representative. Raised...