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Back L-R:John O’Brien, Rex Anderson, Wayne Hall, Ratahi Cross, Te Hira Pere, Hon Willie Jackson Front L-R:Ray Hiki, Helen Scott, Trudy Meredith, Riri Ellis, Kingi Smiler Photo: Alphapix Photography. The finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori horticulturalists have been announced...

Working on a rural property keeps you pretty fit and healthy but, even so, no one is sadly immune to illness or death. As a farmer or property owner you will be used to planning ahead for the seasons. Thinking about what may happen when you are not around is also a part of good rural management – as...

Image: EARTH.NULLSCHOOL.NET PGG Wrightson (PGW) has assembled its National Response Group to assess the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and to coordinate our response supported by our Business Unit Response Teams. Over the initial days our immediate focus has been on the safety of our people. We are...

Jamie Mackay from The Country had a quick chat with Brad Osborne, area livestock manager for PGG Wrightson for South Auckland. On a lighter note, Jamie expressed surprise that there's actually a lamb draft on Waiheke Island. Brad's heading over there to do just that. It's agreed this should be an...

Kev Wilson started working in the wool industry in Napier in 1962. At 16 his first job was as a junior wool classer for broker De Pelichet Mcleod. A few years after the Korean War had driven huge impetus into the wool sector, demand for the fibre remained strong. “There were plenty of wool stores...

A study by scientists at the School of Environment, University of Auckland has shown that Auckland has much higher levels of airborne microplastics than has been recorded in many cities elsewhere: equivalent to three million plastic bottles per year in the air of Auckland. Microplastics are produced...

Like many other farmers, Clarke and Megan Horrell are always open to different ways to diversify revenue, particularly if that adds value for their local community. Clarke and Megan farm Huntly Farm, a 720 hectare fourth generation sheep and beef property at Waikaia, Southland, breeding and...

Sheep and beef farmers throughout the country are increasingly seeking New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP) certification. NZFAP is a voluntary nationwide programme that verifies best practice in animal raising and production at a standard recognised by international customers. Originally...

One of the closest races in the half-century of the national shearing championship has developed, as the 2022-2023 PGG Wrightson Vetmed Shearing Circuit heads towards the last of its five preliminary rounds at the Pahiatua Shears on February 26. While defending champion and Southland shearer Nathan...

While we once again note that crossbred prices are unsustainable at present levels, longer term positives for the wool market are consistent and growing: the fundamentals of the sustainable, biodegradable fibre that we produce have not changed, and the world wants these characteristics ever more...

Jamie pointed out that two sheep farmer mates have just sold their main shear clip. One got $1-25 net. The other got $1-36 net. And it's costing $6-40 to shear a sheep. Wool is surely at an all-time low. But with China opening up, is there light at the end of the tunnel? Grant believes there are...

Rowena Duncum from The Country had her monthly catch-up with Peter Newbold, General Manager of PGG Wrightson Real Estate to dig deep into the rural property market. So how is rural New Zealand sitting? Peter believes 2022 finished strongly, especially December. A lot of things finished off and...

Bernie McGahan left school after sitting School Certificate. “Dad became ill and needed my help on the farm. Although I’d always thought I’d get a farming job, I was a bit anxious because I hadn’t passed my exams. Once my father recovered, I needed to find myself a job. Previously he had farmed...

Steve Wilkinson loves seeing a plan come together. As Lower North Island regional manager for PGG Wrightson Livestock, covering a broad and diverse part of the country, taking in the large hill country units around Taihape, the variety of Wairarapa and Dannevirke, lush productive land in Manawatu...

Average prices up from last year, as Korean market propels demand for velvet January stag sales are a highlight of the deer farming year. After a productive Southland spring, the quality and weight of animals offered at this year’s auctions was excellent, and buyers responded positively, despite...

Planning ahead is the key to success for buyers and sellers. The guidance for anyone planning to sell or buy a dairy herd this autumn is clear: talk to your PGG Wrightson Livestock representative today. Strong global prices contributed to solid herd sales last year. Although the payout trend is less...

On-farm field days provide substantial gains for beef farmers In 2021, along with several like-minded industry partners, PGG Wrightson initiated ‘What’s the Beef,’ seeking to add significant value to the bottom line for commercial beef farmers. This year, after a Covid-enforced break, the farmer...

Famers increasingly using PGG Wrightson stock procurement tool to ease cashflow PGG Wrightson Livestock launched Go-Stock in December 2016. Six years later Go-Stock recently reached two significant milestones: the two millionth lamb purchased on a Go-Lamb contract, and the 300,000th cattle beast...