Farmers capitalising on surplus winter feed strengthens prime and store cattle market while values for fat lambs also increase.

On the back of mild winter conditions in most regions, many farmers are finding they need a few more stock to make the most of surplus grass and winter crop.

A shortage of cattle on farms and fewer animals coming forward has strengthened competition in the prime and store cattle market in both the North and South Island. Alongside the temperate winter, elevated processor demand has driven up values for cattle of all ages, breeds, and types, both at auction and through paddock sales. Processors seeking to fill their chains are lifting schedule values, making every effort to draw out remaining stock, which provides farmers who have prime cattle to sell with numerous options.

Similarly, throughout the country, processors seeking to fill their chains are offering significantly increased value for fat lambs, even considering larger than usual yardings for this time of year. Late in the season for South Island breeding ewes, and in the context of low numbers, that market has also picked up.