News

Wool industry packaging standards require a bale of greasy wool ex-farm must be between 100 and 200 kilograms. Although underweight bales are rare, overweight bales are an issue, causing problems including health and safety, transport overloading, and handling within wool stores by machinery...

Christchurch company Woolover has a niche business based on wool. It specialises in producing and marketing woollen animal covers to protect newborn lambs, kids and calves from the elements. Sheep farmers should maximise the survival of new season lambs, says Woolover managing director David Brown....

PGG Wrightson’s philosophy, wherever possible, is to link more end markets for wool back to the farm gate. We must be able to produce wool that meets the specifications that our consumers order. Finding manufacturers overseas and linking them back to the grassroots on the farm is where the true...

Good coloured crossbred wools of all types are meeting with positive demand especially finer adult types, hogget and lambs’ wool. The crossbred wool market for these types seems to have finally bottomed out to usher in a recovery, albeit a slow one. Through the coming months the new season’s wool...

Clostridial bacteria are everywhere, including on your farm and in your animals. Lambs are born with a low number of antibodies and rely on antibodies in the ewe’s colostrum for protection against clostridial diseases including pulpy kidney and tetanus. In most cases, it is difficult to ensure that...

The key to growing a high yielding, long-lasting lucerne crop that provides high quality feed is dependent on good weed control and plant nutrition. A successful crop of lucerne can last many years as long as it is well managed and good weed control is achieved. This can be done with a combination...

Peter Newbold says he has noticed some "interesting" developments in the burgeoning forestry market over the last "six to eight weeks" as more sheep and beef land is considered for conversion to trees. The GM of PGG Wrightson Real Estate told The Country's Jamie Mackay that interest is growing in a...

The muster prior to lambing is the last opportunity to influence ewe health, milk production and lambing performance. Feed levels and condition score are set, so what else can you do to maximise your return at weaning? Knowing whether ewes are carrying singles or multiples enables accurate feed...

The first weeks of calves’ lives set them up to be able to grow to their genetic potential and have a productive future. Here are some tips to ensure the right foundations are established from the start. New Zealand studies¹ have shown that at least 25 percent of calves fail to suckle effectively to...

A successful calf feeding framework transitions the calf from a pre-ruminant reliant on milk, to a healthy weaned calf with a functional rumen able to digest pasture. In this article, part one of a two-part series, the focus is on the intensive liquid feeding phase of the calf feeding framework...

With a focus on producing top quality tools that are durable and last the test of time, Atlas Trade® is proud to be the leading brand of trade quality tools in New Zealand since 1943. Since the beginning Altas Trade have designed tools to be used in harsh, difficult conditions and to withstand the...

A new design from one of the country’s best-known farm work wear suppliers makes it easier for rural New Zealanders to stay safe and sound on their feet in gumboots this season. Red Band Safety gumboots are hand-built from UV stabilised natural rubber just like normal Red Bands, with extra features...

The Country's Jamie Mackay is joined by PGG Wrightson's GM for Wool Grant Edwards to discuss the state of New Zealand wool and the implications currently facing the wool market. Don Carson from the Forest Owners Association has said that dairy is now worth 30 times more than wool to the NZ economy...

Contract milkers Ben and Johannah Jagger reared 300 calves on MaxCare Premium and Finisher Calf Milk Replacers (CMRs) and were pleased to note that their calves were said to be some of the best around. The Jaggers are contract milkers on Bunnings Farm in Swannanoa, Rangiora and 2018 was their first...

The Ahuwhenua Trophy, Te Puni Kōkiri Excellence in Māori Farming Award acknowledges and celebrates business excellence in New Zealand's important pastoral sector. This competition is held annually, alternating each year between dairy and sheep & beef. The 2019 sheep and beef competition judged...

Mark Leishman talks to PGW Livestock GM, Peter Moore in the latest Livestock Update. This week’s interview focuses on the latest market conditions, Moving Day and the Fonterra Payout Forecast. Market There is the underlying issue around the country that had been dry for a long time. It looks green...

This year’s national bull sales are on 13 and 14 May, signaling the start of the bull selling season. PGG Wrightson Livestock National Genetics Manager Callum Stewart says rising two year old Angus and Hereford bulls will feature, consecutively, over the two days. “Our National Angus Sale is on 13...

Tripod fuel tanks were common on New Zealand farms. The fact is, they no longer meet WorkSafe requirements and should be replaced. In 1996, the Department of Labour (now WorkSafe) cancelled the approval to manufacture tripod (three-legged) stands on fuel tanks. The reasons were that there had been...