Gisborne farmers happy with lamb season so far

Strong stock sale prices and a good lambing percentage have farmers in Tairāwhiti smiling as they keep an eye out for the next bit of rain. Photo / Liam Clayton

Tairāwhiti sheep farmers are enjoying a positive season so far, buoyed by strong sale prices.

Docking has been completed and most farmers are satisfied with the results, AgFirst consultant Peter Andrew says.

“Most are happy they have a reasonable crop of lambs to work with and farm through the rest of the spring and summer.”

The region lambs at an average 140-145% of lambs born per number of ewes.

“Our best lamb producers achieve a lambing percentage of more than 165% and this has been a very good season,” Andrew said.

“Spring has been a little bumpy at times with massive evapotranspiration driven by the heat and the strong northwesterlies drying out our soils.

“This has been matched by the storms that have wandered around the district. This has made the growing of grass a little hit and miss at times.

“The rain has been erratic, but most have had enough to keep the clovers growing.”

Andrew said farmers had been busy trying to capture every last bit of production and “making the most of the prices”.

“The season still has a long way to go. While there’s been good progress so far, farmers will be keeping an eye out for that next bit of rain.”