News

Reinvigoration of dairy beef improves prospects for calf rearers nationwide. Dairy beef weaner calves are selling strongly throughout the country, with demand exceeding where it has been in recent years. After commencing in Waikato in late October, the sales season in the upper half of the North...

Central Hawkes Bay deer property, Forest Road Farm offering elite level stags and hinds. As the season’s first significant offering of elite velvet genetics, the Forest Road Farm sale on 16 December will set the tone for what’s to come. This year is the eighth annual on farm sale for the Charteris...

It was all go at the Inglewood sale on Thursday the 14 th of November, with 200 IHC calves up for auction, PGG Wrightson’s livestock regional manager for Taranaki, Andrew Gibson said. “We’ve got our annual big push for the IHC calf sale scheme and there’s good numbers,” he told The Country’s Jamie...

It’s pleasing to share some positive updates in the wool market this month, with record-breaking fine-wool achievements and improved demand across both islands. Here’s a look at the latest developments and broader trends shaping our industry. In the South Island, our Christchurch wool exchange has...

Converting their conventional sheep farm to organic certainly wasn’t the path of least resistance. But for Bronwyn and George Stevenson of Lindhurst Farm in Dacre, a small town in the Southland Plains 20 minutes drive from Invercargill, they haven’t looked back since making the decision more than 15...

With four years spent in the finance team supporting the wool and real estate business units, Dan Nicholls is not new to PGG Wrightson. But after an opportunity to become the Wool Operations and Business Manager presented itself, he knew he was ready to make the next step up in his career. “I had a...

Seven years ago, when Kain Nixon started teaching at Feilding High School (FAHS), around 10 to 20 senior students would sign up for the school’s extra-curricular shearing programme each year. Fast forward to today and they almost can’t keep up with demand. More than 100 students are going through...

Processing wool efficiently is standard daily practice for PGG Wrightson’s Christchurch and Mosgiel Wool Stores, as they worked through the 2024/2025 season peaks for their region. That’s not to say there aren’t challenges which present themselves along the way, because they do. And some of these...

Whether you're new to photography or want to improve your skills, learning the basics of photography can help take your photos to the next level. From capturing lively animals, to the peaceful beauty of landscapes, and fun moments with the kids, rural life offers many great opportunities to snap a...

PGG Wrightson up and comers set to test their skills among the nation’s most accomplished young rural professionals. Pitting their skills against each other, the country’s best young auctioneers will go head to head, gavel to gavel in early November. Part of the NZ Agricultural Show in Christchurch...

Decision to move on presents unique opportunity to obtain highly admired sheep genetics producing fast growth and high yield. A prominent South Otago stud, offering its final annual ram sale, provides farmers a unique opportunity to acquire some of New Zealand’s most admired sheep genetics. Garth...

Last season’s lambs now largely processed, while the first of the new season begin to appear in saleyards. Sustained heavy rain over Labour Weekend provided much needed respite in some regions, where dry conditions had begun to threaten spring growth. North Canterbury in particular welcomed the...

Following a career in dairy in Waikato, Canterbury born and bred Nathan returns closer to home base and prepares to take on South Canterbury dairy livestock role. Despite being a recently appointed Canterbury-based PGG Wrightson Livestock trainee, Nathan Hubbard is no rookie. Growing up in...

Encouragement for deer farmers as supply-demand equation works in favour of venison prices, though patience necessary as access to China delayed . For seasonal reasons, the price of venison is steadily increasing. As demand grows and some farmers have retained hinds, slaughter numbers are down 12.8...

PGG Wrightson proud to have helped raise over $42 million to help some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people and their families. Support for IHC has been a part of the PGG Wrightson philosophy for more than 40 years, raising over $42 million to make a true difference for some of New Zealand’s most...

Wrapping up The Country’s Wool Week with remarkable news, Rachel Shearer, General Manager of PGW Wool, joined Rowena Duncum for a monthly look at the wool market. Rachel shared an exciting update that highlights New Zealand’s ongoing achievements in producing world-class wool. Rachel was thrilled to...

Following an extended sluggish period, the rural property market is showing signs of recovery, with increased buyer activity driven by a more positive economic outlook. That’s the sentiment expressed by PGG Wrightson’s General Manager for Real Estate, Peter Newbold. Speaking to The Country’s Rowena...

At PGG Wrightson Wool’s C17 South Island auction on 24 October in Christchurch, a remarkable milestone was reached in the world of fine wool. John and Sam McAtamney, wool growers from ‘The Bend’ in Ranfurly, achieved a record-breaking result with their 12.5-micron merino wool. This ultra-fine wool...