Weather conditions and red meat prices set farmers up well for the start of the summer with markets in all categories holding firm throughout the country

Spring weather in most of the North Island has provided plenty of feed, putting stock in excellent condition, and setting farmers up well for the start of the summer. South Island feed conditions are also excellent, with temperatures rising, plenty of moisture in the ground and good follow up rains through the spring.

Sales of the last of last season’s lambs saw prices above $12 per kilogram. This season’s North and South Island lambs are now starting to come onstream to a healthy market with plenty of demand. Drafting old season lambs for the works is keeping South Island farmers busy. While initial indications are promising, large mid-November on-farm sales in Gisborne and Dannevirke will provide a more accurate indication of the North Island’s market strength. On-farm South Island lamb sales are set to start in late November in Canterbury, before fully gaining traction in the new year.

Cattle numbers continue to see an uptick. Held firm by international demand, schedule prices have persisted at around $10 per kilogram for several weeks, though that may dip in the coming month as volumes of cattle through the saleyards are set to increase. South Island spring cattle sales have encountered a willing market, especially for good traditional beef breeds, with demand for steers and heifers well balanced.

Spring bull sales resulted in healthy clearances, with average prices well up on last year’s levels. 

In the dairy sector following an abundance of sales of four-day-old calves earlier in the season, plenty of those have been brought through to 100 kilograms and are now available in excellent order. Conditions are such that a buyers’ market prevails for dairy weaners. 

After a solid run on sales of North Island dairy herds earlier in the spring, particularly motivated by South Island farm conversions, more activity is likely in the new year as the underlying demand for dairy herds has not been met.