News

Store lambs, two tooths and ewes all in heavy demand as confidence in sheep industry returns. With encouraging commodity pricing and plenty of feed in the paddock, 2026 is off to a promising start in most regions. Farmers picking up on the positives are driving livestock markets ahead. Strong demand...

More stock, big lines and higher values feature at the on-farm sale of one of the Tararua district’s most admired properties. Big lines of quality livestock met a positive response at the second annual Waewaepa Station On-Farm Sheep and Steer Sale on 13 January. Hardy hill country genetics, proven...

Global dairy trade auctions, dairy conversions and sharemilker appointments drive elevated market. Buyer inquiry for dairy herds has been elevated over the past few weeks. With recent global dairy trade auctions pushing forecast returns higher, buyers outnumber sellers, demand has risen, and herd...

Doing it successfully with a deer career. Having spent most of his life with deer, in November last year Hayden Byars took on a new role as PGG Wrightson deer specialist for Southland. Hayden’s father Peter started farming deer, at the family farm in Merino Downs, Waikaka, Eastern Southland, when...

Dispersal sale of long-established South Otago stud is an opportunity to acquire the best genetics. One of New Zealand’s oldest and most respected Simmental studs is holding a dispersal sale in March. Glenside Simmental, Waitahuna, South Otago, was first established in 1985. Having recently sold...

First time use of New Zealand’s virtual saleyard extends reach for on-farm merino stud sales. A series of recent sales marks the first time bidr has taken a role in selling merino rams. Armidale, Gimmerburn, Maniototo is a 2054-hectare multi-generational property that numbers 3500 merino ewes among...

PGG Wrightson (PGW) is consolidating its North and South Island auctions and establishing a single, national open-cry wool auction in Christchurch in response to industry changes. PGW general manager Rachel Shearer said the decision follows successful trials of a single national auction late last...

Momentum in the rural property market has been building over the past couple of months, and, with autumn around the corner, it’s shaping up as an ideal time for vendors to prepare for sale, says Peter Newbold, General Manager Livestock & Real Estate for PGG Wrightson. Newbold told The Country’s...

From the windswept hills of Hawke’s Bay to the wharves of Ahuriri, our East Coast legacy is built on the bold decisions of rural icons like Frederick Williams and Nathaniel Kettle, who formed Williams & Kettle during one of New Zealand’s toughest economic periods in the 1880s. Amidst challenging...

Strong wool prices have opened 2026 with renewed confidence, and early indicators suggest the momentum is holding. Speaking with Hamish McKay on The Country, Rachel Shearer from PGG Wrightson Wool shared insights from recent auction results, international demand signals, and what this means for...

The Government and industry are backing new training initiatives to improve animal health and welfare outcomes in New Zealand’s shearing sector, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “We’ve worked with industry to establish a $75,000 fund to support targeted training initiatives that...

The outlook for New Zealand’s deer industry is improving heading into 2026, with venison prices holding steady and velvet supply expected to ease, PGG Wrightson’s National Deer and Velvet Manager Tony Cochrane says. Cochrane said venison had enjoyed an upswing this season, alongside other meat...

Large volumes transact as growers hold firm and withstand market pressure to secure pay off for their commitment to value. After a slow start due to high stocks in market and low-priced activity by opportunist traders, uncertainty in the velvet market was resolved in late December. Large volumes of...

Changing mindsets, wider audience and continued response to feedback makes 2025 a watershed year for bidr. New Zealand’s most used online livestock sales platform and the sector’s predominant auction technology, bidr experienced phenomenal growth during 2025. More than 14,000 people have signed up...

Demand from safari park operators and specialised hunting guides motivates Clachanburn Station, Maniototo to put up trophy animals. Responding to demand from safari park operators and specialist hunting guides, in February Maniototo deer farmers John and Mary Falconer of Clachanburn Station are...

Livestock team members prevail with innovative solutions to clients’ on-farm challenges. Rising stars in the PGG Wrightson Livestock team took out the top three awards in the company’s prestigious Academy this year. A 12-month training programme offered each year to around 20 participants from...

Mokoreta Genetics achieves near complete clearance as buyers respond to Suftex, Romney-Texel and Coopworth-Texel offering with enthusiasm. The inaugural on-farm ram sale for Eastern Southland stud Mokoreta Genetics was greeted by an enthusiastic gallery of buyers in mid-December. Owner Matt McRae...

It was all go today when The Country’s Jamie Mackay caught up with PGG Wrightson Livestock Manager - Dairy, Barry Fox, live at the Temuka Saleyards. Fox was taking in the sights of the IHC Beef Calf Sale–and the sounds, with cattle bellowing in the background. It was day two of the sale when Mackay...