New Zealand Sheep and Cattle Numbers Decline Amidst Carbon Forestry, Drought, and Low Prices
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has released its annual Stock Number Survey, showing a notable decline in both sheep and cattle numbers as of 30 June 2024.
The reduction follows significant decreases in the past couple of years. While the primary driver in previous years has been land-use change as a result of the conversion of sheep and beef farms into forestry, this year’s primary driver was drought in key sheep and beef regions.
Drought has seen farmers needing to destock and impacted the outlook for lamb production for the coming season.
Sheep numbers are estimated to have decreased by 4.3 percent, down to 23.31 million, with breeding ewe numbers falling by 2.9 percent and trading sheep stock numbers fell 7.9 percent. Farmers sought to maintain their breeding ewes and decreased their trading stock more.
The decline in ewes and a lower expected lambing percentage, also caused by drought, means the lamb crop is anticipated to decrease by 4.8 percent (970,000 head) on last year.
Beef cattle numbers are down 2.8 percent overall, most significantly in the South Island, where drought led to a 7.1 percent decrease, while the North Island is relatively steady, down 0.8 percent.
“This year has been particularly tough for sheep and beef farmers,” says Kate Acland, Chair of B+LNZ.
“The combination of drought across many parts of the country, high costs, and low sheep prices and has put immense pressure on farmers.
“Farmers are facing tough decisions on their farms, with many having to sell off capital livestock not only due to drought but for cashflow reasons. This will not only affect their income this year but will also have long-term implications for future profitability.”
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