Cropping farmers support store lamb sales, while calves presented in excellent condition

Some South Island areas were dry through summer, particularly South Otago and Southern Southland, though rain in early March provided farmers in those localities with a measure of respite and the prospect of better feed going into winter. Elsewhere in the South Island mid to late summer weather conditions promoted excellent grass growth, setting up a productive autumn and providing farmers with optimism.

Running through late summer and into early autumn, this season’s South Island store lamb sales took a lift at the start of March, mainly due to Canterbury cropping farmers coming in to buy in several districts, encouraged by a strong growing season in the arable sector and an abundance of feed.

Commencing mid-March, South Island calf sales are set to run through into early May, when the last high country calves will be offered. Positive weather promoting growth bodes well for both the condition of the calves, which should be excellent, while with feed available, those seeking to buy well-bred calves should be sufficiently motivated. Farmers from the lower North Island attending sales and motivated to buy calves from top half of the South Island will be a feature of this season’s sales.

 Shane Gerken, PGG Wrightson South Island Livestock Manager