NZ Beef Starts 2010 Strongly
NEW ZEALAND - New Zealand (NZ) beef and veal production rose 12 per cent in January to 62,738 tonnes cwt, with slaughter rising nine per cent over the same period to 223,741 head (Statistics NZ).According to analysts at Meat and Livestock Australia, production in the North Island rose 26 per cent for the month to 50,227 tonnes cwt, with increasingly dry conditions in parts of the Island forcing producers – mindful of previous year’s drought affected prices – to quit stock in large numbers. ;
In contrast, South Island production fell 22 per cent to 12,510 tonnes cwt, with ample rainfall allowing producers to increase stocking rates, according to Meat and Livestock Australia.
Prices have fallen accordingly, aided by the high NZ$ – 32 per cent higher year-on-year at 72US¢ (Infoscan). Over-the-hook rates for steers, cows and bulls averaged 11 per cent, 18 per cent and 14 per cent less, respectively, in January than a year earlier.
With widespread rainfall throughout February reportedly providing good grass cover, NZ beef production can be expected to move back in coming months, this will be encouraged by poorer schedule prices.
TheCattleSite News Desk