Beef + Lamb NZ's Lambing Kit Checklist for a Tough Season
With lambing underway in many regions, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is encouraging farmers to put together a wellequipped lambing kit to help minimise lamb losses, particularly in bad weather.
New Zealand Wool Services International Limited's CEO John Dawson reports that targeted buying saw some types well supported at the North Island auction.
Others either held steady or eased slightly.
Of the 5,000 bales on offer 88% sold. The weaker New Zealand dollar against most of the traded currencies saw the weighted indicator come down 0.80% compared to the last sale on 21st April.
According to Dawson, fine Crossbred Shears were firm to 2% easier. Coarse Crossbred Fleece were firm to 1.5% cheaper. Coarse Crossbred Shears were well supported, ranging from firm to 3% dearer with good styles sought after.
Shorter First Lambs were 1 to 3% easier with long Lambs firm to 4% dearer.
Long Oddments were firm to 1% cheaper with short oddments 2 to 5% dearer.
Next sale on 5th May comprises approximately 4,700 bales from the South Island.
Farmgate lamb prices are down by 8%, beef cattle by 4.5% and farm expenditure up by 4.2%.
Kiwifruit growers are watchful but remain optimistic as concerns around the potential effects of the El Niño weather pattern this season.
Almond hulls sourced from Australian orchards may have the potential to help New Zealand cows reduce emissions, boost milk yield and lower input costs.
Striking a balance between meeting the needs of industry to speed up approval time for products but on the other hand ensuring that risks are properly assessed.
Surprised, humbled and quite thrilled. That’s the reaction of James Allen, one of the founding partners and now chief executive of AgFirst, on being made a life member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.

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