North Island Sheep & Beef

Recent years have seen the Sheep and Beef sector dominated by the rise and rise in the value of Beef across all breeds, this has been great for the Beef sector and the growth in supply has mainly been at the detriment of the Sheep flock which has been in steady decline for decades.



But 2018 looks like to be the “Year of the Sheep” as prices for sheep meat is out stripping supply from most parts of the world. This has resulted a record schedule for mutton and with lamb also approaching historical highs it is good times for those committed farmers who have stuck with sheep over the years . The current store price for lambs is demand driven which continues to build each week. With the worst of the animal health threats behind us and enquiry will continue to lift from here. If only the wool price could reach the lofty heights of the meat, and with dairy conversion coming to halt we may finally see the end to the trend of a declining sheep flock. 

South Island Sheep & Beef

South Island calf sales are now in full swing. Indications is that calf prices are on par with last year with plenty of demand from local and North Island buyers. In the Canterbury region there will be some retention of calves as good growing conditions coupled with less capital stock on farm  has resulted in farmers waiting to the spring to sell their calves.

It has been good to see spring like conditions as pasture and winter crops has been rejuvenated from recent rains in Southland and Otago. This in turn will give plenty of grass covers and supplementary feed going into the winter.



Demand for store lamb continues as finishing farmers look at purchasing their quota of store lambs. The deer weaner sales are under way with the enquiry and demand outstripping supply as confidence amongst deer farmers grows.  

For more information, sign up to the Agonline email updates.