News

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Russell Moloney’s career took a dramatic shift a few years ago, though he reckons it was a logical one, and he hasn’t looked back. From standing in front of a camera with a microphone, to standing in a pen with a mob of hoggets might seem an unusual career shift, though it’s a path that has worked...

Long term relationship to identify appropriate bloodstock guiding bull and ram selections for large King Country sheep and beef enterprise. Farmers increasingly recognise the need for a sound and factually based genetics programme to underpin their stud purchases and maximise revenue. Callum Stewart...

After 50 years in livestock, including 41 with PGG Wrightson, and recognition in 2022 for his contribution to the industry, Ron Schroeder calls it a day. Ron Schroeder loves deer. He farms them, sells them, purchases them, hunts them, dreams them, eats them. “Ron looks like a deer, and even roars...

Turning around a slow start, the pick up in dairy livestock transactions through late summer and autumn shows sector confidence is returning. After a late start the dairy livestock sale season indicates the sector is rebounding. PGG Wrightson Livestock National Dairy Specialist Jamie Cunninghame...

Farmers looking to move stock on sooner than usual has been the major influence on South Island sales of calves and store lambs. Calf and store lamb sales have predominated in the South Island livestock market through late autumn. In both categories widespread dry conditions pushed some to sell...

One of the best catalogues ever draws international attention A North Otago dairy genetics specialist turned over $1.266 million selling 136 cows in early April, with a top price paid for a heifer of $63,000. PGG Wrightson National Dairy Specialists Jamie Cunninghame and Andrew Reyland convened the...

Pricing should be steady, though clearances may drop Preparations for this year’s two-year-old bull sale season, which starts in early May, are now well under way. Some 130 studs nationwide are set to put their best genetics forward at auction, private sales and paddock selections, from Whangarei...

Picking the best of more than 75 years of breeding Commercial beef raisers have the opportunity to pick the best of more than 75 years of breeding at the Feilding Saleyards as the Sue Brothers bring their weaners – and their carrots – to town. Gareth Williams of PGG Wrightson, Taihape is...

Helping clients maximise their margins After completing his three year degree at Lincoln University, Jesse Houston spent a year working first on a sheep stud near Lauriston, Mid Canterbury, then a Blenheim sheep and beef property, starting his PGG Wrightson career learning the ropes for 15 months as...

Values holding firm as North Island buyers come out in force Northland’s weaner sales season enjoyed a strong start in February. Values were firm on last year, the cattle were well presented, plenty of exotic breeds sold early, and buyers from throughout the North Island were out in force. Compared...

Focus on finding buyers as farmers move stock earlier than usual Early autumn focus in the South Island livestock market was on finding buyers for lambs, and more recently calves. Because of the dry summer influencing farmers to move stock on sooner than usual, plenty of activity has followed, with...