News

Planning for success with bull sale selection The importance of a robust, data-driven genetics programme cannot be overstated. It’s not just about purchasing stud animals; it’s about unlocking the potential for higher revenue and healthier flocks through the power of genetics. Callum Stewart, PGG...

On the 29 th February, PGW Livestock held a North Island Cattle sale via bidr®, PGW’s online auction selling platform. The sale consisted of 15 lots (429 cattle in total) from across the King Country, Manawatu, and Wairarapa. The sale featured a lineup of quality cattle which drew significant...

One of the best catalogues ever draws international attention A North Otago dairy genetics specialist turned over $1.266 million selling 136 cows in early April, with a top price paid for a heifer of $63,000. PGG Wrightson National Dairy Specialists Jamie Cunninghame and Andrew Reyland convened the...

Pricing should be steady, though clearances may drop Preparations for this year’s two-year-old bull sale season, which starts in early May, are now well under way. Some 130 studs nationwide are set to put their best genetics forward at auction, private sales and paddock selections, from Whangarei...

Picking the best of more than 75 years of breeding Commercial beef raisers have the opportunity to pick the best of more than 75 years of breeding at the Feilding Saleyards as the Sue Brothers bring their weaners – and their carrots – to town. Gareth Williams of PGG Wrightson, Taihape is...

Helping clients maximise their margins After completing his three year degree at Lincoln University, Jesse Houston spent a year working first on a sheep stud near Lauriston, Mid Canterbury, then a Blenheim sheep and beef property, starting his PGG Wrightson career learning the ropes for 15 months as...

Values holding firm as North Island buyers come out in force Northland’s weaner sales season enjoyed a strong start in February. Values were firm on last year, the cattle were well presented, plenty of exotic breeds sold early, and buyers from throughout the North Island were out in force. Compared...

Focus on finding buyers as farmers move stock earlier than usual Early autumn focus in the South Island livestock market was on finding buyers for lambs, and more recently calves. Because of the dry summer influencing farmers to move stock on sooner than usual, plenty of activity has followed, with...

Female dispersal sale for prominent Manawatu beef stud raises $468,700 More than 60 years of history came to an end on 8 April with a female dispersal sale staged by prominent Manawatu beef stud Atahua Angus. Approximately 140 attended the Kiwitea sale, which also attracted online bidders and...

Brad Osborne is PGG Wrightson’s area livestock manager for Waikato/South Auckland but The Country’s Jamie Mackay found him in the Wairarapa this week. Osborne was up bright and early at 3am to drive from his hometown of Ngatea to Masterton, to attend a weaner calf sale and “support the local boys”...

Around 250 people attended this week’s field day at Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board’s dairy farm in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Whakatōhea is a finalist in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition to select the top Māori dairy farm in Aotearoa. As part of the competition each finalist stages a field day...

More than 300 people turned out this week to a field day at Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani Incorporation’s (WMI) dairy farm near Mangakino in the Waikato. WMI is one of two finalists in this years Ahuwhenua Trophy competition to select the top Māori dairy farm in Aotearoa. As part of the competition...

Dry conditions in Marlborough mean water is becoming scarcer and may lead to tough decisions for farmers in the region, PGG Wrightson Livestock Manager, Pete Barnes says. Barnes told The Country’s Jamie Mackay it was as dry as he could remember in a long time. “Even as a child growing up here, I...

North Otago stud showcases some of the world’s best dairy genetics High end international dairy genetics will feature at the Busybrook Holsteins Obsession sale on 10 April. Duntroon, North Otago based Busybrook, an innovator in dairy genetics, sources highly rated bloodlines from all around the...

Abundant Southland feed and demand from cropping farmers boosts market Lamb sales and ewe fairs dominated the South Island’s February livestock market. Demand from Mid Canterbury cropping farmers, and locals seeking to make the most of Southland’s abundant feed situation kept demand for store lambs...

North Island purchasers eager to support Prolonged dry conditions starting to adversely affect Marlborough farms prompted an early calf sale in the region in late February, which North Island farmers supported enthusiastically to leave all parties satisfied. With stock water dams running dry and...

Ranfurly farm sells 2500 capital stock ewes South Island-wide via bidr® A recent dispersal sale of a Ranfurly farm’s capital stock ewes was successfully carried out fully online via bidr®. Initially apprehensive about loading the entire responsibility for the sale onto bidr®, in hindsight farmer...

Ready to jump in After three years at Lincoln University completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture, and two years in Blenheim establishing himself as a livestock representative in the PGG Wrightson trainee programme, Hamish Holst is heading to Wairoa and ready for his first role as a fully...