Analyst Intel Archives

AgriHQ analysts Nicola Dennis and Sarah Friel discuss last week’s North Island and South Island Livestock Insight reports, taking a look at shipping difficulties caused by Level 3 in Auckland last week, export stats, and which island has the strongest store lamb market right now. No time to stop and watch? Search for 'AgriHQ' on your podcast app or subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2GshBjq

New Zealand farmers’ nerves have been wracked since the middle of last year when the summer drought finally came to an end. No one will need reminding of how challenging the drought was, especially as the effects were compounded by a national covid-19 lockdown, which hindered farmers’ ability to offload stock.

Over the past few weeks ewe fairs have gradually made their way down the country, and the Balclutha sale yards played host to two fairs this season – a two-tooth fair held on Friday, February 5, and aged ewes the following Friday.

AgriHQ analysts Sarah Friel and Nicola Dennis discuss last week's North Island and South Island Livestock Insight reports, going over the front page story on 90CL and farmgate cow prices, as well as the similarities and differences in the North and South Island markets.

Prices in the US imported manufacturing beef market typically strengthen at this time of year, as New Zealand supplies dwindle and US buyers look to start securing lean NZ beef for their peak consumption period. That said, prices are particularly heated this time around, due to a lack of competing supply from Australia and South America.

So far this year, store cattle trading has been a subdued affair. Low volumes of stock have moved through sale yards across the country and well-bred, traditional cattle were few and far between, as most farmers were comfortable with feed levels.

AgriHQ analysts Nicola Dennis and Sarah Friel discuss last week’s North Island and South Island Livestock Insight reports including the updated free trade agreement with China, the venison export market, and some bold claims about the lamb price.

Every new farming season brings with it a few new quirks just to keep everyone on their toes. We all know how it went a year ago – riches to rags in a matter of weeks – leaving a lot of livestock traders with burnt fingers. The wounds from this period are clearly still healing as the industry has opted to take a conservative approach this summer, creating some interesting trends for store markets.

Farm gate lamb prices have started the year in a relatively stable position. There has been some weekly downside, which is generally expected at this time of the year as slaughter rates pick back up from the Christmas/New Year break. Overall, farm gate prices haven’t dropped as much as normal between October – when the processing season gets underway – and now.

AgriHQ analysts Nicola Dennis and Sarah Friel discuss last week’s Livestock Insight reports including the on-and-off store market, buoyancy in the export markets, and the bottom of the lamb price.

No time to stop and watch? Search for 'AgriHQ' on your podcast app or subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2GshBjq