New Zealand Wool Prices Hit Highest Levels Since 2011 Amid Tight Supply and Surging Demand
Strong competition and tightening supply have seen wool reach its highest prices paid at auction since 2011.
Australian rural services company Elders has downplayed media speculation it is raising funds for a buyout of New Zealand’s largest agricultural services company PGG Wrightson (PGW).
In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, last week, Elders said had not made “any definitive proposal” to buy PGW.
This came after a report in The Australian newspaper that it is seeking to raise A$300 million – speculating that Elders – along with Dutch seed company Barenbrug (a corner-stone shareholder in NZ Agriseeds) – are interested in buying all or part of PGW.
However, in the ASX statement, Elders chief executive Mark Allison says the company will only make acquisitions that make compelling strategic and financial sense.
Rumours about PGW’s future have been triggered by claims that Chinese-owned Agria Corp wants to quit its 50% stake in the NZ rural services company.
Agria is being investigated by the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) for its “good character”, following its delisting from the New York Stock Exchange in 2016 after the NYSE announced it allegedly uncovered evidence a “top executive and other intermediaries” artificially inflated the company’s stock price.
PGW said it had nothing to add to a statement it made in May, that the company had been conducting a strategic review of its business, including growth opportunities, capital and balance sheet requirements, and potentially shareholding structure.
Joshua Irving has been named the 2026 Ormond Nurseries North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Vets say they support the responsible use of virtual fencing and virtual herding technology for cattle and wants to work with farmers, manufacturers and government to help shape standards for future use backed by ongoing research to strengthen animal welfare outcomes.
National and world records tumbled as top Kiwi axeman claimed two Stihl Timbersports world titles at the same event in Budapest, Hungary over the first weekend in June.
A safety push across New Zealand has revealed significant gaps in hazardous substances management, farm vehicles, tractors, quad bikes and side-by-sides.
New Zealand farmers have earned a global edge by consistently yet cautiously taking advantage of emerging agri-technology.
New season data from LIC shows a strong reproductive performance for the 2025-26 season, with a lift in key metrics compared to last season.

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