News

I am receiving an increasing number of calls from across the North Island especially the Waikato and Manawatu, about Yellow Bristle Grass (YBG) being found in both pasture and crops, and more particularly maize. This weed is part of the family of annual grasses known as Seteria, which includes...

This is the third article of a three-part series that takes a closer look at New Zealand soils. This month, I focus on the different management strategies that are required for the four distinct soil types that were discussed in the last issue. New Zealand soils are generally young (comparatively...

This month Andy Thompson is joined by PGG Wrightson South Island wool procurement manager Rob Cochrane to discuss the current issues facing farmers and the stability of the wool market. Things are looking up for the New Zealand Agricultural Show (formally known as the Canterbury A and P show)...

Spring has been slow to arrive in much of the South Island, with a corresponding shortage of available feed dampening livestock markets. PGG Wrightson South Island Livestock Manager Shane Gerken says pasture production has not yet picked up in districts south of the Waitaki, though in Canterbury and...

Sheep & Beef Shane Gerken - South Island Livestock Manager Colder than normal weather conditions for this time of the year in the South Island has meant farmers are on top of their feed, especially in the bottom half of the South Island. The cattle market has been sluggish, as buyers look for better...

Peter Moore joins Mark Leishman on the daily report to discuss how the livestock market is tracking this spring. In particular, the current variable spring weather and its effect on livestock sales.

Peter Moore joins Mark Leishman on the daily report to discuss how the livestock market is tracking this spring. In particular, the advantages of the online auction platform Bidr.

Market influences are extremely difficult to predict and, there are often questions as to why the wider wool trade doesn’t pass on market intelligence to growers as an aid to grow the “right” wool, it is impossible to predict any movements with certainty. Sure there are sectors of the manufacturing...

Wiggy discovers there's a lot more to Sir David Fagan than shearing. He and son Jack are working on a three year project with the local regional authorities to retire 10% of their dairy farm into wetlands, native trees and shelter.

Ngāi Tahu Farming is working through a detailed planning process with the aim of establishing their first horticultural development in the Balmoral/Culverden district of North Canterbury. Their Culverden operation comprises just over 9,000 ha in pines and beef production, and the plans for a...

Peter Moore joins Mark Leishman on the daily report to discuss how the livestock market is tracking this spring. In particular sheep and beef markets are performing strongly thanks to continuing high demand from overseas markets, especially Asia, providing farmers with good prices for meat.

Nelson’s Jono Sutton, 26, was announced as this year’s Young Grower of the Year at the awards dinner in Tauranga on Wednesday 2/10/2019 “This is one of horticulture’s highest achievements for a young person, so winning it is massive,” said Jono. “Some of the past winners have gone on to do amazing...

Awareness of the potential health and environmental hazards associated with some chemicals used in commercial interiors is growing, further reinforcing the arguments for designers, manufacturers, and consumers to shift towards natural raw materials, such as wool. Synthetic carpets may typically...

PGG Wrightson’s Wool Integrity programme, established in 2015, currently has some 1200 grower members and approximately 30 international brand partners. It provides assurances to the international market place by addressing concerns around global issues such as animal welfare and environmental...

This pre-lamb shearing season, in both North and South Islands, vegetable matter (VM) contamination has noticeably increased. Several tests are performed on wool prior to sale. These use the core sample taken from each bale within a specific line or lot. They include measuring micron, yield, colour...

PGG Wrightson Wool rep Stuart McNaughton was at David and Pam Nind’s Remarkables Farm, near Frankton in early July as they were shearing. Stuart was surprised to see a police vehicle outside the shed. Going inside he was more surprised to see a police officer. Surprise number three came when the...

For growers of all wool types, there are forces at play outside their control with factors that influence global trade offering little encouragement. Global financial uncertainty, and in particular the trade dispute between the United States and China, is having a negative effect on the market...

Peter McCusker’s uninterrupted career in wool started in 1979, initially with Pyne Gould Guinness, which after a series of mergers eventually became PGG Wrightson. Graduating with a Wool Certificate and Wool Diploma from what was then Lincoln College, his territory predominantly covers North...