Stock numbers on the up in eastern North Island

Sheep numbers on farms on the eastern coast of the North Island rose to more than 6 million head, according to B+L NZ's Stock Numbers Survey to June 30. Photo / Bevan Conley

Farmers across the eastern North Island have reported a 0.7% increase in the regional ewe flock to 3.52 million head, according to Beef + Lamb NZ’s Stock Number Survey.

The survey was as of June 30.

“Total hoggets on-farm were up 7.3%, with more ewe hoggets mated than last year,” B+L NZ said in a summary.

“Overall, total sheep numbers were up 3% to 6.18 million head.”

Beef cattle numbers on eastern North Island farms had reached more than 450,000 head at the end of June.

Total beef cattle numbers on farms on the east coast of the North Island remained similar to last year at 454,000 head.

“Breeding cow and heifer numbers were up 3.6% to 269,000 head. But it was weaner numbers that contributed largely to the lift in cattle numbers on-hand at June 30 [up 7.7%].”

Nationally, total sheep numbers were down 1% to an estimated 23.36 million head and total cattle numbers were up 4.4% to an estimated 3.84 million head.