Sheep and cattle numbers drop

Sheep numbers dropped across the Eastern region of the North Island, as happened nationally, according to the Beef + Lamb NZ Stock Numbers Report to June 30. Photo / Bevan Conley

Sheep numbers were down 2.4% and beef cattle numbers down 2.3% in Eastern regions of the North Island for the 12 months to the end of June, according to Beef + Lamb NZ’s Stock Number Survey.

At that date the Eastern sheep number, which includes this region, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa, was at an estimated 5.92 million head.

“The reduction in flock size was driven by a myriad of complex reasons,” the B+LNZ report states.

“From poor pricing for sheep, drought for some and wet conditions for others, cashflow management, a focus on rebuilding infrastructure and farmland after adverse weather events and before increasing stock numbers, and greater stock losses due to animal health reasons.

“Breeding ewe numbers declined 3.7% to 3.29 million head – an ongoing trend in the Eastern region.

“Ewe numbers on hard hill country farms decreased by around 5% - a greater decrease than hill country and finishing farms, which decreased by 3 to 4%.

“Total hogget numbers were steady (-0.3%) on last season, at an estimated 2.52 million head.

“Hard hill country farmers felt the pinch of high farm expenses and increased animal health costs and chose to destock where possible to improve cashflow,” according to the report.

“The average lambing percentage is expected to be down in spring 2024, and with fewer breeding ewes the lamb crop is expected to be lower than spring 2023.

“Ewe pregnancy scanning results were below average with ewes in lighter condition and worm burden impacting health.

“Feed shortages may be an issue during lambing for parts of the Eastern region.”

When it comes to cattle numbers, there were an estimated 845,000 head in the Eastern region at June 30.

Cattle numbers across the Eastern region of the North Island dropped 2.3% over the past year, according to the B+LNZ survey. Photo / Alex Cairns

“Total weaner numbers decreased by 3.6% to an estimated 212,000 head, and breeding cow numbers decreased by 3.1% to an estimated 251,000 head.

“The total decrease in beef cattle numbers was softened by the retention of older cattle because farms with good levels of pasture needed older cattle to maintain pasture quality,” the report says.

“Weaners prices were relatively strong in the store market, making them a more expensive option for purchase in autumn.

“Fewer breeding cows (-3.1%) were held over winter amid concerns about lack of rainfall and feed. Often, older breeding cows were sold, which helped with cashflow.

“We expect fewer calves will be born this spring because fewer cows were mated.

“Hill country farms had feed for cattle at 30 June 2024 but survey farmers noted the quality of pasture was poor.”

The B+LNZ report states “financial woes continued, with pressure on cashflow and the need to meet interest obligations”.

“This meant more cutting back of ‘non-essentials’ including pregnancy scanning for some farmers.

“Livestock that would typically be wintered were sold through store or prime markets to improve cashflow.

“Poor store sheep prices exacerbated farmers’ low mood on sheep numbers.

“Significant inflation in the price of inputs over recent years meant farm expenses were high even as farmers sought to cut costs.

“Animal health expenditure increased due to both increased need for products to address high worm burdens and fly strike, and increased product prices.

“Although fertiliser prices eased, farmers were strapped for cash and fertiliser volumes were lower than 2022-23.”

The report also covers land use change.

“More seasoned farmers, or those nearer retirement, were actively switching from sheep to cattle.

“Changes were made to reduce workloads and animal health costs, with less labour requirements for cattle.

“The cattle market was steady while returns for sheep were poor.

“Farmers wanted to improve profitability and put their farm businesses in a better position for sale or succession.

“As a response to increased interest rates, farmers with higher debt levels subdivided parts of their property (typically flatter productive country) to lifestyle or holiday blocks to reduce overall debt levels with banks.”

• Nationally sheep numbers decreased 4.3% to 23.31 million – breeding ewe numbers decreased 2.9%. The lamb crop for spring is expected to decrease across New Zealand by 4.8% (970,000 head) – driven by fewer breeding ewes coupled with a lower expected lambing rate (down 2.9 percentage points to 127.2%). Beef cattle numbers decreased 2.8% to 3.55 million – North Island beef cattle numbers decreased slightly (-0.8%).