LAMB
More price lifts for the winter period, as schedules rise in response to shortages in the Middle East, and the Chinese market moving into it’s biggest consumption period.
These lifts have been followed by saleyard sales, as last week’s prices averaged over $100 for prime lambs for the first time since November last year.
Store lambs also rose, but numbers offered are sure to fall soon as the winter starts and quality feeds will be needed to keep the breeding flock maintained.
Good rains have arrived for the dry areas but also snow on the foothills and with it frosts are sure to follow dragging soil temperatures and winter grass growth down.
Most breeding ewes will have started their winter systems with the pasture rotations back to maintainence, especially in the dry areas where quality brassica feeds will be saved for later in the pregnancy.
Many without surplus grass are using feed grains that are currently being traded at prices that are at the lowest levels for 6 years and a cheap source of quality feed to fill the gaps caused by these shortages.
More government monies have been allocated to irrigation developments in the Canterbury region, and some for a scheme to recharge acquifiers with a goal to dilute nitrate issues in the Hinds catchment.
WOOL
The single South Island wool auction last week saw prices lift, as the slightly weaker currency and better styled wools attracted stronger demand.
Prices rose from 1.5-6% on the last North Island sale but surprisingly 24% of the offering was passed, with vendors holding out for better prices, especially for stocks of lambs wool.
BEEF
Good lifts in beef schedules this week, as supplies shorten with the approach of winter, and demand strong in the chilled beef area.
The US report, beef is having to compete strongly with cheap chicken and pork, as the market is unsure of how much stocks are being held for the demand ahead, especially as Australia supply is falling.
NZ beef producers were warned by a Brazialian beef analyst of that countries growth in the global market, with genetics and cheap grain allowing rapid increase in carcase weights from that country.
Bull sales have started and after big interest and participation on farm walks results from sales at the Beef Expo were disappointing with the top judged bull only making $6000.
Unfortunately a fourth line of fodder beet seed has been found to be contaminated with velvet leaf seed and it now appears farmers will have to learn to control this weed in the future, as eradication is now an unrealistic goal.
DEER
Venison schedules remain in their summer mode for another week, but the early chilled programmes are due to start in June and July, and prices are predicted to be strong.
The sector will be buoyed by news of growth again after a long period of retrenchment, and the breeders in the foothills will enjoy better value for their female stock after years of unsustainable prices.
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