News

At PGG Wrightson Wool, we are proud to announce the launch of the "Musterer" jacket from Kaiwaka Clothing, a product that represents our commitment to sustainable and ethical wool production. This jacket, crafted from New Zealand wool produced under our Wool Integrity programme , represents quality...

After the final auctions of the year in late June, a review of the recently completed season shows this year’s wool market exhibited stability, with some wool types approaching three-year highs. However, significant scope for growth remains. Crossbred wools finished the season strongly, including...

During shearing season, Danielle Boyd doesn’t know how many hours she works in any given week. There’s a job to do, so she just heads out and gets it done - however long that may take. It’s part up-bringing (growing up on sheep and beef farms in Northland) and part grit. “I’ve always enjoyed being...

New and influential standards to measure product sustainability risk overlooking the benefits of natural fibres, though a concerted advocacy programme is under way to ensure the advantages of wool and other commodities are properly recognised. Emma Gittoes Bunting , Australian Wool Innovation Global...

Thank you to all participants in the 2024 LandMarks Photo Collection. With over 2,000 entries received, the 2024 competition has been the most popular LandMarks Collection of the past decade! Over the next two weeks, we’ll be taking a close look at each entry to check the images meet the competition...

Activity in the rural real estate market remains subdued, with around 30% less buyer activity than 12 months ago. That’s according to PGG Wrightson General Manager of Real Estate, Peter Newbold, who floated the figure in his monthly interview with The Country’s Jamie Mackay. Newbold identified...

Northland is experiencing a bit of a green drought despite recent rainfall, according to PGG Wrightson regional livestock manager, Bernie McGahan. For the uninitiated, a green drought is when there is just enough rain to keep the grass green, but not enough for it to grow. There had been 20-25mm of...

The Canterbury Shears’ national Corriedale shearing and woolhandling championships are confirmed to take place in November, despite the Canterbury A&P Society's decision to cancel the New Zealand Agricultural Show. Despite the decision not to host the show this year, shearing and other sections have...

Exclusive to PGG Wrightson Livestock, SkyCount integrates aerial imagery and AI software to conduct livestock audits at a new level of speed, accuracy and efficiency. A revolutionary new way to tally livestock is on display this week at Mystery Creek Fieldays. SkyCount, PGG Wrightson’s innovative...

At age 16 Hayley MacDonald left school and decided to learn agriculture the practical way – now she has her dream job. Hayley MacDonald is one of PGG Wrightson’s newest staff members, coming into the company as a livestock trainee in early May. Growing up on a lifestyle property in Ohoka, North...

Online access to on-farm auctions paying off in convenience and cost for buyers and sellers as New Zealand’s virtual saleyard surpasses 10,000 users. After three weeks of this year’s bull sales, bidr continues to consolidate its role as an increasingly important part of the livestock marketing mix...

A dry autumn putting feed under pressure in many South Island districts prompted steady de-stocking, with stock generally finding buyers elsewhere. Widespread dry conditions dominate the winter plans of South Island farmers. Store lambs came off farms at a steady rate during May, generally finding...

Bull sales season starts as predicted with an excellent standard of stock offered to a cautious gallery of buyers. With 130 studs nationwide competing for attention, buyers at this year’s bull sales are taking advantage. Callum Stewart, PGG Wrightson Livestock National Genetics Manager says the...

Heavier male lambs with shorter wool earning a premium – Mid and South Canterbury cropping farmers also weighing in. Store lamb sales in the North Island started in earnest in early May. Month on month, yardings through the Fielding saleyards and paddock to paddock sales are ahead of annual averages...

After around 160 years, the Couper family calls it a day with one of the Tasman region’s largest clearing sales in decades. Spectacular weather and a sizeable crowd helped make the Raidale Farm clearing sale on 23 April the Tasman region’s largest event of its kind in decades. Owen and Lina Couper...

In a recent interview with Rowena Duncum from The Country, Rachel Shearer, the new Acting General Manager for PGG Wrightson Wool, shared her insights on the current state of the wool market and highlighted notable community support initiatives. Transition to Leadership Rachel Shearer, who has...

Pictured from left to right: Ben Askew - Warehouse Manager, Michael Anderson - Sustainability Manager, Greg Ferguson - Wool Classer, Rachel Shearer - Acting GM of Wool, Richanna Clarke - Wool Classer, Dave Rosson - Wool Handler. With the addition of six new electric fork-trucks at the Christchurch...

Since its launch in 1982, the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme has grown to be one of New Zealand's most successful charitable programs. Through the years, this rural donation scheme has raised over $41 million for IHC, funds that have made a transformative impact on the lives of those it serves. This...