News

Around 180 shepherds accompanied by 460 dogs ready to compete in one of rural calendar’s most time honoured and well-loved events. At least 180 competitors will bring some 460 working dogs to the central North Island in early May for this year’s edition of one of the most time honoured and well...

In the first few months of his new career, one of our Canterbury based trainees, originally from the Central North Island, shares his impressions of the role. Meeting new people, going new places, and learning new ideas sums up Lachie Crafar’s experience of life as a livestock representative. Raised...

As ongoing supporters of Land Search and Rescue’s important mahi, we are excited to get behind their Searchlight Campaign throughout May. This year’s campaign marks a significant milestone—92 years of dedicated service by Land Search and Rescue teams nationwide. The Searchlight Campaign aims to...

The second Ahuwhenua Trophy Finalist field day for this year was hosted by Tawapata South, Onenui Station on the 10 th of April, 2025. The huge turnout of guests was welcomed with stunning weather and a beautiful pōwhiri to the farm at the tip of the Māhia Peninsula in northern Hawke’s Bay. Our team...

“What do I need to pay for a big Holstein dairy cow in Taranaki at the moment?” That’s the burning question Jamie Mackay put to PGG Wrightson’s Taranaki livestock manager, Andrew Gibson, on The Country today. Gibson’s the right man to ask, as he was gearing up for the Makuri Holstein Dispersal on...

On the 3 rd of April, Ahuwhenua Trophy Award Finalist for 2025, Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust welcomed over 200 people to Ngaiotonga Marae and their Ngaiotonga A3 block in Whangaruru, Northland. Our team was honoured to attend and learn about the devastating history of loss, the tenacity of local...

Rural landscapes offer a rich tapestry of colours, textures, and forms, perfect for any aspiring photographer. To make the most of your landscape photography, and be in to WIN a $1,500 Prezzy Card, try out our tips below! If you're wondering where to start, composition is a key feature of a good...

Confident local farmers show strong support as enthusiasm for beef remains high, while bidr generates plenty of interest from further afield. A pen of Simmental weaners, offered by Barry Gledhill of Linton, Manawatu, and averaging 385.7 kilograms, sold at the first 2025 Feilding Weaner Steer and...

Store lambs and weaner sales going well as weather, feed and schedules keep farmer optimism high. Agreeable climatic conditions, a promising feed outlook in most regions, and stable schedules are all encouraging buyer confidence, making for positive early autumn livestock markets. In the North...

Premium dairy genetics on offer, developed over many decades, as high performing cows and heifers come to market. Several clearing sales, featuring dairy herds with exceptional genetics, are on the calendar for April and May, with Taranaki farms to the fore. These sales offer opportunities to secure...

Making a switch and noticing the difference between farming and livestock trading, where making the farmer happy is the number one priority. Stephen Wheeler began as a PGG Wrightson sheep, beef and dairy livestock representative in Taumarunui in December 2023. “It’s a relationship business. Although...

Wide variety of farm equipment, valued at $2 million, from respected Waikato agricultural contractor, selling via bidr auction. On the 10th of April, a large online sale of agricultural plant and machinery is set to attract purchasers from throughout the country. Trucks, tractors, trailers, drills...

Pictured: Robbie Gibson (left) and his wife Chrissy (right). Like most kids born on a farm, Robbie Gibson was helping out and mucking in from earlier than he can remember. But it wasn’t a chore - he never wanted to do anything else. And as the years went on, Robbie was able to learn everything he...

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...

Despite some corrections in the market over recent weeks, positive trends continue to emerge, particularly in key demand areas. Here’s a look at the latest developments shaping the wool market. South Island Market Overview In the South Island, February’s Christchurch wool exchange produced strong...

If you’re keen to hear a yarn or three from the wool sheds of the North Island, Mike Vallance (or ‘Hoss’ as he’s more commonly known), is the man you need to see. He’s spent three decades on the job, carting 10’s of thousands bales of wool here, there and everywhere. But, you’ll have to be quick...

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...

The much-anticipated Ahuwhenua Finalists Field Days for 2025 are almost upon us. Early next month, Ahuwhenua Trophy Award Finalists—Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust in Whangaruru on the East Coast of Northland and Tawapata South Māori Incorporation Onenui Station in Mahia in the Hawke’s Bay region—will...