Wool Report: Wrapping Up the Wool Market in 2023
As the year comes to a close, Rowena Duncum from The Country caught up with Grant Edwards, the General Manager of Wool at PGG Wrightson, to discuss the latest updates in the wool market and offer insights for the upcoming break. Strong Finish to 2023 Wool Sales Grant Edwards began by sharing...
Property Report: 2023 a tough year for rural real estate
There’s no denying 2023 has been a challenging year for the rural real estate market. General manager of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Peter Newbold told The Country’s Jamie Mackay it was one of the toughest he had seen “for many years”. “There’s just been so many different things that have been...
Livestock report: The ups and downs of Southland grass growth
The grass is lush and plentiful in Southland but that can bring both good and bad news, says PGG Wrightson’s livestock manager for the region, Andrew Martin. Feed-wise things were looking great, Martin told The County’s Jamie Mackay. “We’re probably as good as we’ve been for many a year.” Even...
Academy Award Winners 2023
The PGW Academy, established in 2006, focuses on developing talent within the company. Since its inception, more than 310 employees have completed the programme and have proceeded to enrich PGW, our clients’ businesses, and the wider agricultural and horticultural industries. As part of the...
Staff Profile - Gabby Swift
Loving being part of a cool team of calm, collected people. Moving from a government agency into agriculture has been a change for a new member of the PGG Wrightson Livestock team. Gabby Swift started with the company in July having worked for the previous seven years in government positions, mainly...
‘Remarkable’ reduction sale of Valais Blacknose
Rare opportunity to buy ‘world’s cutest sheep’ . A reduction sale featuring a rare sheep breed that is winning fans the world over should attract plenty of interest in February, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Swiss heritage breed Valais Blacknose are reckoned to be the cutest sheep in the world...
Taihape venison stud showcase will gauge market strength
Stag sale looking to capitalise on good news around venison schedule. One of the New Zealand’s top venison studs is holding its annual on farm sale this month. Located one kilometre northwest of Taihape, Ruapehu Red Deer’s two-year-old sire stag sale, on 13 December, will offer 30 plus lots. Click...
Era ending sale for Southland deer industry stalwart
Final event at Netherdale will be a highlight of this season’s stag sales. One of Southland’s most respected deer breeders will end an era early in the new year. Netherdale Red Deer Stud, has been a key part of the deer industry in Southland for more than a generation. In 1979 David Stevens...
Dairy beef demand holding steady
Spring grass growth provides buyers with confidence. Dairy beef is in solid demand at sales throughout the country, with North Island sales already under way, and sales in the South Island commencing before the end of November. The majority of sales are scheduled before Christmas, though a few in...
Ram sales under way
Growth, early weaning weight and fertility attracting top dollar. Ram sales started in the North Island in mid-November and are due to follow shortly in the South Island. Results have been mixed. While some studs are quietly satisfied, others have fallen short of expectations. The number of rams...
Positive conditions for South Island spring cattle sales
Early lambs sales more hesitant Spring cattle sales have just been completed in the South Island. Current positive schedules and good feed conditions throughout most South Island regions meant stock sold well, especially well-bred traditional cattle. Early lambs sales, including in paddock sales...
Unique white Herefords keep family legacy alive
Unusual variant attracting attention for more than 90 years. While Hereford cattle are traditionally red bodied with white heads and other markings, a Wanganui cattle breeder has a theory, supported by more than 90 years’ of evidence, that there may be more to the breed. Lindsay Johnstone, along...
PGG Wrightson Wool applauds Government's wool preference directive
In a groundbreaking move, the New Zealand government has recently directed its agencies to prioritise the use of woollen fibres over synthetic alternatives in public sector buildings. This decision has garnered support from various quarters, and PGG Wrightson Wool stands firmly behind this...
The importance of investing in wool preparation
By Rosstan Mazey, chair of the NZ Council of Wool Interests, CEO of WoolWorks Ventures At the start of the shearing season, quality preparation of the clip is an investment, not a cost. Ask yourself: what is the ultimate aim of wool preparation? Answer: to prepare your wool to achieve best...
North Island wool identity bows out after 57 years
Encompassing seven decades, a momentous career in wool comes to an end in a few weeks. PGG Wrightson North Island Wool Manager Allan Jones started in the business in December 1966. Growing up on his family’s South Canterbury lifestyle property and regularly working on farms including his uncle’s...
Wool market report: Market largely steady after recent price rises
A significant quantity of merino wool has been offered at the South Island sales throughout November. Enduring interest from one of the major Australian fine wool exporters, who has attended our fine wool sales in person, further strengthens buying power in the room. This has resulted in prices that...
The Country: A Monthly Dive into the Wool Market with Grant Edwards, GM for Wool
In the latest interview with Rowena Duncum from The Country , Grant Edwards, the General Manager for Wool at PGG Wrightson, provided insights into the current state of the wool market, notable retirements, and exciting developments. Listen to the interview below or read a summary of the key points...
Two wins, a service award, flying, a road trip - the weekend of right honourable Stratty
Prolific winning Southland shearing legend Nathan Stratford has won a lot of titles in more than 30 years of competition shearing but still had time for something different at the Canterbury Shears’ New Zealand Corriedale shearing and woolhandling championships in Christchurch on Thursday and Friday...