Signs of recovery in stock numbers - B+LNZ

B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says the survey shows there are reasons for optimism in the sheep and beef sector given recent strong prices.

However, she says challenges remain.

“We’re seeing rebuilding of stock numbers in several regions after drought and other adverse weather events led to sharper reductions in the last two years,” Acland says.

“Farmers are getting much better prices and are feeling more confident about shorter-term prospects,” she adds.

The decline in total sheep numbers is modest as there were more trading hoggets on hand.

However, the number of breeding ewes continue to decline, down 1.9%.

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The lamb crop is forecast to be 0.6% lower this season – nearly 120,000 head fewer, on top of a 1.2 million reduction in lambs last year.

“This will only exacerbate already tight supply,” says Acland.

She says the rebuild could have been stronger were there not a continued loss of land to forestry.

“This is creating ongoing concerns about our sector’s long-term viability.

“Our conservative estimate is 2.6 million stock units have been lost to afforestation since 2017, and afforestation is responsible for 78% of the total reduction in sheep and beef stock numbers since 2017,” Acland says.

“The Government has set a goal of doubling exports by 2034, and sheep and beef farmers will be essential to achieving this goal. Nearly 20 percent of New Zealand’s export earnings – $10.4 billion in 2024 – come from the red meat sector. 

“But we can’t double exports if we’ve planted our best farmland in pine trees. We’re calling on the Government to do more to restrict whole-farm sales for entry into the ETS.”  

The increase in beef cattle is attributed to farmers in some areas rebuilding herds following drought in the South Island last year and Cyclone Gabrielle’s effects in the North Island in 2023. 

 There has also been a continual shift within farming systems from sheep to beef cattle as cattle prices have been consistently high.