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23 July 2019
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Market Commentary

Livestock Market Update July 2019

South Island Sheep & Beef Update

Shane Gerken - South Island Livestock Manager

Winter conditions have been milder than normal especially in the coastal areas of Otago, with some pastures closer to resembling mid-summer rather than mid-winter. The utilisation of crops has meant an abundance of supplementary feed to bridge any gaps. 

Local trade cattle continues to strengthen on the back of limited supply and export cattle schedules continue to lift - which is normal for this time of the year.

The lack of store cattle coming on to the market has helped lift pricing.  We’re seeing farmers opting to hold on to cattle, with a milder winter and the prospect of further lifts in the beef schedule 

Lamb and Mutton schedules continue to lift as processors look at filling overseas markets. The store lamb market continues to be hotly contested throughout the saleyards as finishers look at purchasing lambs to eat surplus feed. 

 

Dairy Update

Jamie Cunninghame - National Dairy Sales Manager

With the new dairy season fast approaching we are seeing the Dairy Livestock market in pretty good shape with strong enquiry on quality surplus stock. The number of animals available in the marketplace is very limited which is stimulating the market on anything that has quality about it.

There is a significant amount of enquiry on Rising 1 year Friesian heifers for the export market, which is having strong influence on the local market for anyone wishing to compete on quality heifers.

With the government currently reviewing the live export business out of New Zealand it will be interesting to watch this space over the next month or so and see the outcome of this review.

Feeder calf sales are just starting around the country and early interest is looking promising on these markets. 

Let’s hope the winter and early spring weather treats our farmers with kindness and a strong start to the season.

 

Genetics Update

Emma Pollitt - Livestock Genetics Representative

In May/June we saw a large number of two year old bull sales held around the country. Average sale prices remained firm against last year, particularly for the Bristish breeds, despite softened weaner prices in some regions earlier in the year. More bulls offered to the market coincided with reduced beef cow numbers which affected some clearances.  Record prices for stud transfer bulls showed that the industry is in good heart.

The South Island Angus Sales were kicked into gear at the Taimate Bull Sale in Ward. Lot 3, a son of their homebred Taimate Lazarus sold for a record $85,000 to Turihaua Angus (Gisborne). The following week, East Coast’s Tangihau Angus Stud had their first on farm sale. Lot 1 sold for a national record of $86,000 to Rangatira Stud (Gisborne). Hot on their heels at Kaharau Angus in Gisborne was Lot 4, which sold to Merchiston/Atahua Studs (Manawatu) for $78,000.

The South Island Hereford studs also had record sales, including Limehills, Okawa, Matariki and Monymusk.

Soon enough, the Genetics team will launch into yearling bull sale preparation - in the meantime we’re here to assist you in breeding better business.

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