Favourable weather and encouraging schedules stimulate livestock market activity  

Late November and early December rain across much of the North Island maintained good feed levels through December and into early new year. However, as January progressed sustained warm weather coupled with a solid breeze across many regions rapidly depleted the quantity and quality of feed.

After the festive break North Island saleyards were back into full swing on 5 January with a busy schedule of grown cattle, ewe and supplementary ram fairs alongside the regular weekly sales. Results were solid, generally indicative of the schedules, although some price easing was noted in areas that have dried rapidly. While many lambs are trading, after farmers capitalised on the pre-Christmas schedule the quantity of older ewes coming to market is back slightly.

Finishers moving prime stock through the processors are still experiencing a backlog, which is affecting the demand for store stock.

As farmers and livestock agents look ahead to the upcoming weaner sale season, the general outlook is solid, although rain and the sector continuing to avoid Covid would improve it further.