News

Two-times National Shearing Circuit champion Nathan Stratford has set sail for a possible 20th final in the annual all-breeds championship with maximum points in the first three rounds of the 2023-2024 PGG Wrightson/Vetmed series. The Southland gun first reached the final in 2000, when it was won by...

In a recent interview with Rowena Duncum from The Country, Grant Edwards, the General Manager for Wool at PGG Wrightson, shared promising developments in the wool industry. Listen to the interview below or read a summary of the key points discussed: 1. Crossbred Wool Prices on the Rise Grant Edwards...

Farmers increasingly recognise the need for a sound and factually based genetics programme to underpin their stud purchases and maximise revenue. Callum Stewart, PGG Wrightson Livestock Genetics national manager says such a programme needs to rest on knowledge of a farm’s characteristics and the...

Wool Integrity in collaboration with PGG Wrightson and Hyundai Country Calendar , are excited to announce a remarkable opportunity for wool enthusiasts. As a testament to our shared commitment to promoting excellence in wool products, we are giving away a generous $500 voucher for the Wool Integrity...

Things may be quiet on the sheep front with lambing underway but there’s still plenty of cattle action about, PGG Wrightson’s Regional Livestock Manager Otago, John Duffy, says. The Otago Spring cattle sales kicked off in Balclutha a couple of weeks ago, where “a very good bench of buyers” turned up...

Pictured: Fruitfed Supplies Technical Horticultural Representative, Blair Deaker, assesses potential fruit drop in the cherries with Tim Paulin, Managing Director of 3 Kings Cherries near Dunstan, Central Otago. The 'Three Kings' rock formations sit on the mountains above the Clutha River and...

Aotearoa New Zealand sits in a unique position being an isolated island nation which has historically protected it from a number of pests and diseases found elsewhere, but the high volume of trade and tourism increases the risk of them getting across the border. Biosecurity is a major risk to...

Southland shearer and New Zealand representative Leon Samuels completed a double of the traditional first two titles of the shearing sports season when he reclaimed the Waimate Spring Shearing Championship open shearing title in Waimate on Saturday. Samuels, winner of the national fine wool...

Giving it a good crack Like father, like son and like many others who trade sheep and cattle, Lars Hardy is a second generation livestock representative. His father Chris originally started as a rep with Wrightsons in Manawatu in 1990, before going farming himself, first on leased properties...

Relating to farmers Born and bred on Blackbridge, a Simmental stud 20 minutes south of Kerikeri, some of Troy Vujcich’s earliest memories are being out on the family farm. After school he went to Victoria University in Wellington where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce. “I quickly realised that I...

Exponential growth in demand for genetics Poor wool returns over many years, alongside increasing shearing costs, are inevitably leading to strong interest in shedding sheep. Although controversial alongside the history and traditional profitability of growing wool, many farmers are scouting the...

Esk Valley farmers with their own take on innovative Australian breed A recently developed Australian shedding sheep is making its first impact in New Zealand, with an on-farm sale scheduled for 16 November at a property that is pioneering the breed. Dean and Antoinette Martin farm 244 hectare...

Taihape farming family fully sold on shedding sheep On behalf of his parents Greg and Jocelyn, Charles Bennett manages his family’s property Waitui, on 343 hectares of hill country at Tiriraukawa, 26 kilometres southwest of Taihape. Faced with the ongoing challenge of minimising costs and maximising...

Record yearling bull sale achieved online bidr® continues to build on its reputation as a powerful force in the livestock market, recognised by buyers for the ease and convenience of procuring stock without leaving home, and providing sellers with a nationwide selling platform broader than...

Purchasers taking a functional approach to their bulls this year This year’s yearling bull sales have delivered good clearances, albeit the values of the bulls offered is down by $300 to $500 per head compared to last year. Dairy farmers have not been prepared to exceed the $3,000 mark with their...

Limited supply of cows means quality lines are selling fast Across the country dairy livestock market activity is heavily focused on quality in milk and close to profit cows. With limited numbers available over the past few weeks, cows that have come forward through the North Island auction system...

Livestock markets moving out of winter mode Overall the livestock market has been in winter mode, with relatively low numbers of sheep and cattle through the saleyards. Looking ahead, there are a number of cattle sales rostered during October. Good early spring rainfall through most of the South...

During winter there's nothing quite as comforting as a hand-knitted woollen garment to keep children snug and warm. The Kiwi Family Trust , an organisation dedicated to providing hand-knitted woollen garments to young children throughout New Zealand, has been tirelessly working to spread warmth and...