Leaving Paris ‘not in red meat sector’s interests’
Beef and Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) chair Kate Acland says it’s not in red meat farmers’ interests to leave the Paris Agreement on climate change.
There's been a dramatic and larger than expected drop in the number of lambs produced in New Zealand.
A new report by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+NZ) indicates a drop of 1.1 million (5.2%) in the number of lambs tailed/docked this year compared to last year. This means that this year the total lamb crop will be 19.2 million.
B+LNZ says the drop is due to a declining ewe flock and worse lambing rates in the South Island, which was hit by wet weather and snowstorms, affecting lamb survival. However, the report is only preliminary, with the final figures for the South Island not due until closer to Christmas. While things were bad in the south, the Norh Island had excellent lambing conditions.
The lower lamb drop has significant impacts for the meat processing companies with a shortfall of stock in the South Island in the lead-up to Christmas. B+LNZ says in the South Island, export lamb processing for the first quarter of the season is expected to be down by 22%, but up 2.4% in the North Island.
A lower lamb crop means that export lamb numbers are forecast to decrease 6.5% across the whole season. Australian lamb production is expected to be lower too, which tightens global supply and may lead to stronger prices in international markets.
B+LNZ chair Kate Acland says despite these challenges, there are signs of cautious optimism for the sheep and beef sector. She says early-season farm gate prices for sheepmeat have been higher that last spring and cattle prices remain strong.
"This, coupled with the recent reductions in interest rates, has alleviated some financial pressure," she says.
The issue of declining sheep numbers was raised at the recent agricultural climate change conference, with some delegated blaming this on the increase in productive land going into forestry.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
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