News

An innately human characteristic, passion is something that can’t be taught. And it just so happens that for Tara Marshall, her passion is wool, and the industry that surrounds it. Growing up on her grandfather’s 1000 hectare farm north of Taumarunui, there may be an element of not having any choice...

While there have been plenty of solid results for bidr in the saleyards, the real-time, live auction online platform hadn’t ever been used for an on-farm, solely ewe sale. But when Mike Gill, a PGG Wrightson sheep and beef rep in Lumsden, spoke to multiple people who wanted sheep, and who couldn’t...

March is all about weaner calves in the Wairarapa, with two big fairs at the Masterton Saleyards on the 12th and the 25th of this month. PGG Wrightson livestock agent, and Karaoke fan, Andrew “Elvis” Jennings, was at this week’s sale. He told The Country’s Jamie Mackay that the event had an...

A herd of dairy cows is a significant asset: one of the biggest and most important that most farmers will hold. In the current market, on the back of a rising forecast payout, dairy herds are in high demand. Anyone considering selling a herd this season can therefore expect to do well financially...

Consistency, superior growth and productivity should meet strong buyer demand for station bred cattle known for how well they shift. With the North Island weaner sales season almost upon us, Wairarapa has two big weaner fairs that will attract farmers from throughout the region and beyond, at the...

Demand exceeds supply across most livestock classes as farmers are prepared to pay well to take benefit from propitious feed and export conditions. While much of the North Island needs rain, particularly Taranaki and Waikato, the livestock market throughout the country remains strong, with the...

Excellent farming season makes for a memorable edition of a unique event on the Mackenzie District’s farming calendar. One of the biggest events in the Mackenzie District’s farming calendar, this year was the 31st edition of the Rollesby Valley Lamb Sale. PGG Wrightson Livestock Mid-South Canterbury...

A PGG Wrightson Livestock representative with a unique backstory, and a separate thriving business in Japan, which has rebounded from Covid. Most new recruits to PGG Wrightson Livestock come in with an agriculture background. Although Ross MacDonald is no exception, his particular agriculture...

Third generation Maniatoto farm offers heritage flock in first ever fully online sale of merino ewes and lambs. Fine wool growers had a unique opportunity to augment their flocks as some highly regarded stock was offered in the first ever bidr sale of merino ewes and lambs. After almost a century in...

A recent announcement from Westpac is good news for farmers, says PGG Wrightson’s National Dairy Specialist, Jamie Cunninghame. The bank upped its farmgate milk price forecast by 30c to $10.30/kg for the current season, and its opening forecast for the 2025/26 season is $10/kg. Cunninghame said it...

Mild, moist weather produces plenty of pasture, leaving farmers short of stock to take advantage. Evident in the past few weeks: positivity is returning for sheep and beef farmers throughout the country. An unseasonably mild and moist Christmas and New Year resulted in abundant pasture, sending many...

Signals indicate that farmers who plan ahead and go to market early will likely be rewarded. Payout forecasts and falling interest rates have helped sector confidence, in turn providing positive impetus for the dairy livestock market. Dairy farmers are looking ahead to the 2025/26 season, addressing...

Making the most of New Zealand's virtual saleyard, as both a vendor and a purchaser, taking advantage of nationwide reach, convenience and flexibility. Although at first he didn’t believe it would work, a North Canterbury sheep and beef farmer is now a committed user and keen advocate of bidr, New...

Being around cows since he was born, including nine years sharemilking in Waharoa, sets up new Waikato Dairy Agent to provide service and value. Although Bill Moore is new as PGG Wrightson’s Waikato Dairy Agent, starting in the position in September last year, he’s spent a lifetime preparing for the...

The New Year has only just started but things are already in full swing, Bjorn Andersen, PGG Wrightson’s Area Livestock Manager for Dannevirke and Pahiatua says. Renowned Tararua District property Waewaepa Station had its first on-farm sale this week, which Anderson said was “really exciting”...

'Best yearling steers in the district’ the focus of long association for the Dempster and Blakely families of East Otago . Along with son James and daughter-in-law Sarah, Lindsay and Margaret Dempster farm Hummock Run, a 4,600 hectare breeding and finishing enterprise comprising several properties...

Renowned Tararua district property Waewaepa Station set to hold first on-farm sale offering large quantities of steers, ewes and lambs. Waewaepa Station’s first ever on-farm sheep and steer Sale on 14 January should attract plenty of local farmers, as well as others from further and wider afield...

How being the fifth generation on a Clinton family farm has provided experience and insight to set up a new trainee’s livestock career. Growing up on a farm that has been in his family for more than 100 years, agriculture was always Michael Beattie’s most likely career. Michael’s parents, David and...