News

Who eats beef, and what do they expect from it? Mark Mitchell is owner of Broadleaf. Established in 1988, Los Angeles-based Broadleaf is a niche protein supplier, importing New Zealand and Australian beef for sale to around 400 wholesalers throughout the United States from Alaska to Puerto Rico...

By Jake Phillips Applying some logical principles will result in an effective breeding programme. Producing ‘better’ animals by improving their genetics is the goal of breeding. For most ‘better’ would be classified as more productive or generating higher returns. Animal breeding programmes have...

Jamie McKay of The Country catches up with Andrew Gibson with PGG Livestock in Taranaki, commenting that it’s been a “bit of an Indian Summer”. Andrew confirms that the rainfall has helped the country stay green having rained throughout the whole summer, “keeping the markets nice and strong” with no...

An animal breeding programme should consist of three parts: an objective, a programme design and animal selection. In other words the ‘what,’ ‘how’ and ‘who’ necessary to improve your stock. If you don’t already have suitable advice on hand, find someone reliable, independent and knowledgeable, and...

Prospects lifting for velvet and venison Early season support from the South Korean health food sector, which accounts for 30 to 35 per cent of annual sales for New Zealand production, meant the 2022/23 velvet season started strongly. However, once those big contracts were filled demand fell away...

Eric Heta left school for the freezing works. A country boy, he also milked cows for a year, and enjoyed it. For Eric though, his entry into farming came with the words ‘I do.’ “Marrying a farmer’s daughter prompted my start in farming. I left the freezing works and we went 50-50 sharemilking. Up...

A farmer and wellbeing professional outlines practical tips and tricks to manage stress on the farm Even at the best of times farming can be a stressful business. Right now, for many of us, this is not the best of times: escalating interest rates, uncertain returns, and cataclysmic weather around...

bidr sale raises $117,180 to help Cyclone Gabrielle victims Deer farmers across New Zealand banded together in mid-March to support their deer industry whānau whose lives were turned upside down by Cyclone Gabrielle. Via an online charity auction on auction site bidr they raised $117,180, a clear...

Early enquiry recommended for anyone wanting dairy livestock next season As dairy farmers plan for the start of next season enquiry for forward settlements of herds and in-calf heifers is firm. Empty rates appear to be two to three per cent higher this season than normal, probably due to the...

Buyers and sellers benefit from flexible cashflow solution A mid-March South Canterbury on farm lamb sale illustrated the effectiveness of Go-Stock, PGG Wrightson’s flexible solution for on-farm cashflow. Hamish Orbell owns and farms 4100 hectare Clayton Station, a Fairlie Basin property farming...

Farmers offered opportunity to donate stock to support relief fund In early March I caught up with PGG Wrightson’s East Coast clients and staff to look at some of the devastation left in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. While it’s fair to say that the resulting aftermath leaves a knot in the stomach...

Cropping farmers support store lamb sales, while calves presented in excellent condition Some South Island areas were dry through summer, particularly South Otago and Southern Southland, though rain in early March provided farmers in those localities with a measure of respite and the prospect of...

Jamie Mackay recently had a conversation about deer with Tony Cochrane, national velvet manager for PGG Wrightson. But Jamie wanted to touch on venison first, contending that New Zealanders don't eat enough of one of the great meats. Tony agreed but pointed out that price is a factor - although...

Favourable weather positive for both stock and support from buyers Weaner fairs are benefiting from the abundance of feed across all North Island regions, which is boosting the condition of stock coming to market, driving values up by as much as 50 cents per kilogram liveweight compared to last year...

Jamie Mackay recently had a conversation about deer with Tony Cochrane, national velvet manager for PGG Wrightson. But Mackay wanted to touch on venison first, contending that New Zealanders don’t eat enough of “one of the great meats”. Cochrane agreed but pointed out that price is a factor -...

Jamie Mackay from The Country had a quick chat with Brad Osborne, area livestock manager for PGG Wrightson for South Auckland. On a lighter note, Jamie expressed surprise that there's actually a lamb draft on Waiheke Island. Brad's heading over there to do just that. It's agreed this should be an...

Bernie McGahan left school after sitting School Certificate. “Dad became ill and needed my help on the farm. Although I’d always thought I’d get a farming job, I was a bit anxious because I hadn’t passed my exams. Once my father recovered, I needed to find myself a job. Previously he had farmed...

Steve Wilkinson loves seeing a plan come together. As Lower North Island regional manager for PGG Wrightson Livestock, covering a broad and diverse part of the country, taking in the large hill country units around Taihape, the variety of Wairarapa and Dannevirke, lush productive land in Manawatu...