News

Buyers motivated for sales at Tuakau and Frankton through March, April and May, set to peak at 1600 calves per week. Autumn calf sales in Waikato look set to endorse the positive mindset around red meat at present. With plenty of feed on the ground, farmers are well placed to take advantage. Judging...

AGM, visits to seven local studs, and experiencing the best of Northland set to feature in tour for Angus industry aficionados. Approximately 65 Angus breeders from throughout the country will congregate in Northland later in March as the region hosts the Angus New Zealand AGM , and visits to seven...

Elevated commodity prices and abundance of feed create heavy demand at Masterton Cattle Fair. One of the best Wairarapa livestock sales in recent memory took place last month. Held in late February, the Masterton Cattle Fair reflected farmer confidence derived from excellent commodity prices and the...

Meikleburn, Clayton and Four Peaks stations combine to offer 13,000 lambs, expecting plenty of buyers, including from mixed cropping sector. Almost 13,000 lambs were offered at the season’s final South Canterbury on-farm lamb sale on 10 March. Sales at three Fairlie high country properties...

A South Island livestock career that has taken him down more different farm drives than most. Michael Coote took on the newly created role of PGG Wrightson South Island Livestock Supply Chain Manager in January, shifting back to the company after around 20 years in livestock-related roles with a...

Enthusiastic response as farmers take advantage of relatively rare access to specific bloodlines at handful of sales. A handful of February dispersal and flock reduction sales has marked a changing of the guard among some sheep breeds. Sales include the Pikoview Sufftex dispersal for Wilson and Val...

Accurate birth records strengthen bio security while contributing to high value export opportunities for New Zealand farmers. Image supplied by OSPRI, featuring farmer, Christine Angland. Please note that the quality of the image has been enhanced using AI. Strong biosecurity and access to high...

A herd of dairy cows is one of the most significant assets within a dairy business. In the current market, strong payout forecasts and renewed sector confidence have created solid demand for quality herds. For farmers considering a sale in the 2026/27 season, conditions are favourable, provided the...

Demand for dairy herds is running high. Results from recent global dairy trade auctions are pushing positivity in the sector. Even at historically elevated levels, forecast returns are holding steady. A new round of dairy conversions currently in process is also set to generate further demand for...

Confidence remains high across the Taranaki livestock sector, with strong returns for dairy beef calves, steady demand for store stock, and positive seasonal conditions underpinning the market. PGG Wrightson Taranaki Area Livestock Manager/Auctioneer, Andrew Gibson, said prices at the February sales...

Store lambs, two tooths and ewes all in heavy demand as confidence in sheep industry returns. With encouraging commodity pricing and plenty of feed in the paddock, 2026 is off to a promising start in most regions. Farmers picking up on the positives are driving livestock markets ahead. Strong demand...

More stock, big lines and higher values feature at the on-farm sale of one of the Tararua district’s most admired properties. Big lines of quality livestock met a positive response at the second annual Waewaepa Station On-Farm Sheep and Steer Sale on 13 January. Hardy hill country genetics, proven...

Global dairy trade auctions, dairy conversions and sharemilker appointments drive elevated market. Buyer inquiry for dairy herds has been elevated over the past few weeks. With recent global dairy trade auctions pushing forecast returns higher, buyers outnumber sellers, demand has risen, and herd...

Doing it successfully with a deer career. Having spent most of his life with deer, in November last year Hayden Byars took on a new role as PGG Wrightson deer specialist for Southland. Hayden’s father Peter started farming deer, at the family farm in Merino Downs, Waikaka, Eastern Southland, when...

Dispersal sale of long-established South Otago stud is an opportunity to acquire the best genetics. One of New Zealand’s oldest and most respected Simmental studs is holding a dispersal sale in March. Glenside Simmental, Waitahuna, South Otago, was first established in 1985. Having recently sold...

First time use of New Zealand’s virtual saleyard extends reach for on-farm merino stud sales. A series of recent sales marks the first time bidr has taken a role in selling merino rams. Armidale, Gimmerburn, Maniototo is a 2054-hectare multi-generational property that numbers 3500 merino ewes among...

The outlook for New Zealand’s deer industry is improving heading into 2026, with venison prices holding steady and velvet supply expected to ease, PGG Wrightson’s National Deer and Velvet Manager Tony Cochrane says. Cochrane said venison had enjoyed an upswing this season, alongside other meat...

Changing mindsets, wider audience and continued response to feedback makes 2025 a watershed year for bidr. New Zealand’s most used online livestock sales platform and the sector’s predominant auction technology, bidr experienced phenomenal growth during 2025. More than 14,000 people have signed up...