
Positivity back as post-Christmas feed situation boosts livestock markets
Mild, moist weather produces plenty of pasture, leaving farmers short of stock to take advantage.
Evident in the past few weeks: positivity is returning for sheep and beef farmers throughout the country.
An unseasonably mild and moist Christmas and New Year resulted in abundant pasture, sending many farmers to market for stock to capitalise.
After spending time completing prime lamb and cattle drafts throughout the festive break, North Island activity for 2025 commenced emphatically across all regions. Five consecutive days of grown cattle fairs in Te Kuiti during the first week back demonstrated a market that has strengthened even further on the tail end of 2024, a trend consistent with other regions.
North Island East Coast farmers executed a U-turn: previously off-loading stock due to drought, they have completely reversed course to now desperately chase the stock they need to control feed and summer crops.
In the South Island the focus is on on farm store lamb sales. Feed abundance initiated a huge lift in store lamb pricing, values rising through the Christmas period by between 80c and $1 liveweight. Demand is outstripping the supply of lambs available. Elevated purchasing activity is evident throughout the South Island. Traditional store lamb sellers have benefited.
In the North Island processor demand for both ovine and bovine is stronger than ever recorded at this time of the season. Schedules are boosting industry confidence, leading to a solid store market.
Earlier North Island ewe fairs were strong, particularly on well-bred types. However, this eased slightly in the latter part of January as higher volumes were presented to the market.
South Island store cattle are also heavily in demand, albeit few are available, with farmers intent rather to put more weight on while they have the opportunity. Cattle are not coming forward for slaughter, yet. While schedules are still healthy, particularly with overseas markets for bull and cow manufacturing beef remaining strong, adding weight in the meantime appears the most rewarding option.