News

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...

Excellent summer of growth results in well-presented stock Around 10,000 Northland weaner calves are selling in the first half of March in a series of sales throughout the region. Ranging from Peria to Wellsford, the sales typically attract buyers from across the North Island, including from...

Self-shedding Wiltshire sheep are bringing in high prices at the moment, says PGG Wrightson’s Regional Livestock Manager - Te Kuiti, Kevin Mortensen. Mortensen told The Country’s Jamie Mackay that breeding ewes were fetching up to $500. The sale happened last week, at a yarding of around 5800 sheep...

Angus breed champions bowing out. Alan, Michele, Colin and Louise Dalziell, owners of renowned Manawatu beef stud Atahua Angus, are bringing the curtain down on their business with a dispersal sale on 8 April. Atahua Angus was established by Alan and Colin’s parents Elsie and Verdun Dalziell in 1961...

Improving prospects prompt strong enquiry. Anyone considering selling a dairy herd this autumn should consult their PGG Wrightson Livestock Representative without delay. Herds going under contract now will settle in May and June, meaning market interest picks up from February as the main season for...

Strong stag sale season responds to encouraging market signals for venison and velvet. Conditions for New Zealand deer farmers remain generally positive. Through the now completed stag sale season quality stock went for high prices. A couple of three-year old velvet stags sold for more than $100,000...

March dispersal sale scheduled for AngusPure partner Wairere Angus. A longstanding Taranaki beef stud is winding down, with its 19 March dispersal sale providing farmers an opportunity for some highly rated genetics. AngusPure partner Wairere Angus Stud at Meremere, near Hawera, South Taranaki was...

GO-LAMB SOUTH gaining traction as farmers take advantage. South Island farmers have a new option to trade and finish lambs. PGG Wrightson’s GO-STOCK is a livestock cashflow tool where PGG Wrightson purchases trading livestock with no outlay for the farmer. A recent addition to the GO-STOCK range, GO...

Fall in ewe numbers emphasises focus on quality genetics. Running through November, December and January, although this year’s ram sale season reflected the falling number of ewes in the national flock, overall the sales exceeded expectations. Going into the season the number of rams offered...

Good grass growth keeps trading options alive for North and South Island farmers. Plenty of moisture across much of the country has kept trading options alive in most districts. Continued grass growth well into the summer is creating opportunities for North and South Island farmers, in turn...

Despite a turbulent global situation, New Zealand’s deer market is holding its own and remaining profitable, National Deer and Velvet Manager for PGG Wrightson, Tony Cochrane says. In December, China left the industry in limbo when it announced it would stop accepting frozen velvet imports bound for...