News

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 PGG Wrightson / Vetmed National Shearing Circuit is in full swing, with the competition intensifying as we edge closer to the Golden Shears. On Saturday, 1 February, the fourth round took place at the Rangitīkei Shearing Sports in Marton, marking the first North Island event of the series. With...

The PGG Wrightson Academy is set to embark on another transformative year, with the 2025 programme kicking off this February in Christchurch. The upcoming cohort will join the ranks of over 300 PGW employees who have completed this prestigious programme since its establishment in 2006, marking...

The rural real estate market is off to a promising start in 2025, according to PGG Wrightson’s General Manager for Real Estate, Peter Newbold. Speaking to The Country’s Jamie Mackay, Newbold expressed optimism for steady growth following what he described as “one of the largest market troughs in...

In the latest radio interview on The Country, Rachel Shearer, General Manager for Wool at PGG Wrightson, shared her insights into the current state of the wool market as 2025 gets underway. She discussed strong auction results, key market trends, and an exciting upcoming event that showcases 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...

Despite delayed velvet sales, deer farmers show determination to continue to enhance genetics, leading to upbeat North Island stag sales. After challenges in the market tempered initial expectations, this season’s stag sales have started remarkably well. For those chasing velvet production, the sale...

Exclusive to PGG Wrightson, Defer-a-Stag provides easy deferred payment option for farmers awaiting delayed payment for annual velvet harvest. Deer farmers facing a cash flow crunch now have a ready solution: PGG Wrightson’s Defer-a-Stag. With the stag sale season under way, many have not yet...

Playing our part to make a true difference for some of the people and families who most need our help. Proudly supported by PGG Wrightson, the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme is set to break the $1 million mark this season. With just two late January sales left, IHC Calf & Rural Scheme national coordinator...

This month, our Academy cohort met for the final time in the 2024 programme, concluding a jam-packed year of personal growth, learning and experiences in the field for all participants. The PGG Wrightson Academy is a learning and development course for our team members, aimed at expanding their...

The two income streams of the deer industry seem to be heading in opposite directions, according to PGG Wrightson national deer and velvet manager Tony Cochrane. The velvet market is looking a bit soft at the moment, while venison is looking “pretty positive,” Cochrane told The Country’s Jamie...