Livestock Market Report: South Island update

Good rainfall in the past few days has been welcome throughout the South Island. Areas that will benefit most are Marlborough Canterbury and South Canterbury.
 
On 4 November the first spring lamb sale of the season was held on Banks Peninsula. We saw genuine demand from buyers, and although prices were back compared to last year, at around $3.50 per kilogram, it was a more than respectable result.

On 6 November at the Palmerston Cattle Sale sustained demand for traditional cattle was evident. In traditional breeds steers averaged $3 per kilogram and heifers $2.70. South Island buyers are reasonably choosy: while traditional beef cattle are well sought after, beasts with a dairy base are tending to be discounted. 

Shane Gerken, PGG Wrightson South Island Livestock Manager 

Livestock Market Report: Dairy update

In the first weeks of dairy beef weaner sales, prices are back on last year, on average by around 10 per cent. However, calves are also cheaper, so margins for those looking to rear them should remain consistent. Demand is steady, though we are seeing lower numbers of dairy beef weaners reared than in the past, which is likely to have a flow on effect for beef farmers when availability becomes shorter than expected.

Herd listings for forward sales on 1 May and 1 June are now appearing in the market. Although stock quality is encouraging, any farmer considering selling a herd should make contact early rather than leave it too late. Those that do not move promptly risk missing out after the bulk of buyers have already purchased.

In-calf heifers are now beginning to sell. With the quantity of stock that has gone to China this year, these may be in short supply later in the season. 

Jamie Cunninghame, PGG Wrightson National Dairy Livestock Manager 

Livestock Market Report: Genetics update

North Island ram sales are under way. A shift is evident away from the traditional type of purchase, towards a growing emphasis on performance. Farmers are seeking lambs that will mature more quickly, particularly to take advantage of prices earlier in the season. New breeds and facial eczema resistance are also gaining greater consideration from farmers purchasing rams. 

Sheep numbers continue to fall. Recent statistics indicate the national flock now sits at 26 million. In the North Island numbers dropped by 3.5 per cent last year. Drought, changing land use and environmentally focused restrictions on stock are all factors in this reduction. These challenges are motivating farmers to modifying their farming programmes, including looking for improved performance from their stock and genetics. 

A significant proportion of ram sales are now live streamed, enabling online bids. This trend is gaining good traction, and is well received by vendors and purchasers alike, enabling participation in the sales from galleries that extend throughout the country. 

Callum Stewart, PGG Wrightson Livestock National Genetics Manager