fbpx
Print this page
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

Covid's urban/rural divide

According to a new study from the University of Otago, there was a visible rural/urban divide in Covid-19 vaccination rates.

Covid inquiry to visit Northland

Better understanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the people of Northland, and the role communities played in the pandemic response, will be the focus of a visit from the Covid-19 Inquiry, says inquiry chair Professor Tony Blakely.

Reflecting a challenging period

Damien O'Connor admits his six years in office were incredibly challenging, with Covid, droughts, floods, storms, M. bovis and volcanic eruptions to name a few.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.