RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
A first on-farm clearing sale using a hybrid auction platform delivered a “fantastic result” for Galatea farmers Shaun and Kelly Bicknell.
In a successful first, NZ Farmers Livestock (NZFL) ran the on-farm hybrid auction supported by both on-line and on-farm bidding capability.
The sale saw a 100% clearance at prices reflecting the quality herd with much online bidding particularly for the top end of the herd.
More than 50 farmers around New Zealand registered to bid in the auction with more than 80 attending in person. Around 30% of bids were made on-line and 20% of the lots (mainly top end) were purchased by on-line buyers.
Top prices achieved were – Cow $9,600, heifer $6,600 and yearling $6,100. The average cow price was $1,975.
Shaun Bicknell said the prices were bang on with he had hoped for and the online bidding fuelled the sale – adding a degree of competition.
“We’re very happy, the sale couldn’t have gone better under the circumstances. NZ Farmers Livestock were fantastic – now it’s just a matter of getting the stock (whose origins go back to Shaun’s grandfather) off the farm and on to their new homes,” Bicknell said.
NZFL general manager, Bill Sweeney said the hybrid auction platform was developed to meet urgent farmer need under COVID-19.
“But it is clear that it will change the game for the whole range of on-farm livestock selling and I am confident more farmers will take it up. On-line adds buying power to livestock auctions and will suit a growing number of buyers. This is a powerful clearance sale tool, but it is also going to add demand to stud sales, and I am keen to take it there too.”
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.