Tuesday, 22 December 2020 15:55

Remarkable lambing in a challenging year

Written by  Staff Reporters
Despite Covid-19 restrictions, farmers achieved a near record lambing percentage according to a B+LNZ report. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, farmers achieved a near record lambing percentage according to a B+LNZ report.

Despite Covid-19-related processing restrictions and a widespread drought in the first half of 2020, sheep and beef farmers despite achieved a near record 130.3% lambing percentage, slightly lower than spring 2019 where 131% lambing was achieved.

This is the findings of the Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Lamb Crop Outlook report for 2020 that measures the lambing performance and forecasts lamb and sheep exports for 2021.

Lamb and sheep export volumes, however, are expected to be more significantly impacted by the follow-on impacts of the drought, due to lower animal weights and the retention of sheep for breeding to rebuild stock numbers.

"Despite the challenges of 2020, including drought and Covid-19, sheep farmers demonstrated why they are the world's best," said B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor.

"Their resilience and the agility of their farming systems has meant they've performed outstandingly and this should be a real point of pride for our sector," she said.

B+LNZ's Economic Service estimates the number of lambs tailed in spring 2020 decreased by 1.5% or 357,000 head on the previous spring to 22.9 million head.

Most of the decline occurred in the North Island as a result of drought conditions.

McIvor says that although the average lambing percentage is lower, 2019 was a high performing season.

The number of lambs tailed in the North Island declined 4.8% to 10.8 million head.

Restricted feed supplies at mating resulted in lower pregnancy rates when scanning was completed. The severity of the autumn drought on the lamb crop was partially offset, however, by excellent climatic conditions at lambing.

The most severe impact was in the East Coast, with the total lamb crop for the region down 10%.

In contrast, the total number of lambs in the South Island increased 1.6%. Otago was the major driver of the lift in the South Island, recording an increase in total lamb crop of 3.9%.

The total number of lambs processed for export in the 2020-21 season is expected to decrease 4.5% from 19.1 million head in 2019-20 to 18.2 million head.

The annual amount of lamb produced is expected to decrease 4.7% due to a combination of fewer lambs and a slightly lower average carcase weight.

The number of adult sheep processed in the 2020-21 season is expected to decrease 10.8% from 3.5 million head in 2019-20 to 3.2 million head.

The sharp decline by a 16.3% decline in the North Island as sheep farmers after the number of breeding ewes sold in 2020 was higher than expected because of drought.

More like this

M.I.A.

OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.

Gaslight much?

OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts started after their disastrous Covid response; now trying to undermine the Covid inquiry to protect his own backside.

Sorry, not sorry

OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?

Every exhibitor with something valuable to offer for farmers

OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.

Featured

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.

B+LNZ launches AI assistant for farmers

Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.

National

Machinery & Products

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

A step too far

OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…

Save us from SAFE

OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter