McIvor to step down in July
Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor will step down in July.
Some positive news for the red meat sector; NZ’s beef cattle herd is growing and the decline in the sheep flock has slowed, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ)
It says beef cattle numbers are up 1.9% over the past year while the decline in the sheep flock was slowed by a lift in hoggets as farmers responded positively to strong prices and good grass growth leading into winter.
The annual stock number survey conducted by B+LNZ’s Economic Service, shows 3.7 million beef cattle with beef production continuing to grow.
The largest contributor to the increase in the number of beef cattle was a lift in weaner cattle in Marlborough-Canterbury, which was driven by younger cattle being retained by beef breeders.
The research shows the impact of Mycoplasma bovis on sheep and beef farms has been mixed.
B+LNZ Economic Service chief economist Andrew Burtt says the analysis reveals a younger ewe flock as farmers retain more hoggets for future production. The number of breeding ewes fell in all regions of New Zealand – and by 2.1% overall.
“The number of breeding ewes decreased 3.5% to 8.3 million in the North Island, while South Island numbers dropped 0.8% to 9 million. The decrease largely reflects farmers taking advantage of strong prices for mutton. There was also a preference – particularly in the older farmer demographic – towards less labour intensive livestock options to sheep,” he says.
Consequently, the national hogget flock is up on last year.
Hogget numbers increased 2.5% to 9.1 million, largely from Marlborough-Canterbury where ewe hoggets were retained to replenish declining ewe flocks, and trade lamb purchases from Southland due to dry summer conditions.
Burtt says ewes were in good condition at mating, and going into winter due to feed availability.
“However early pregnancy scanning of ewes fell short of farmer expectations, which was high due to pasture levels during mating.”
The lamb crop is expected to be down 3.8% to 22.8 million. This follows a record lambing percentage the previous season and a smaller breeding ewe flock but moderated by a lift in lambs from hoggets mated.
The world's largest wool scouring facility, WoolWorks Awatoto plant in Napier, is back operating at full capacity.
A year on and the problems created by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle has largely dropped off the radar of media and politicians.
Feeling forgotten and in a fragile space financially and mentally.
The European Union Ambassador says the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the bloc and New Zealand will bring significant benefits to both parties.
Less Wellington bureucracy and more local, on-farm common sense was the focus of recent meetings held in South Canterbury as part of the Government's National Woolshed tour program.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.