Farmers have suffered “devastating” lamb losses in eastern and central North Island over the last two weeks with an estimated toll of about 100,000.
AgriHQ analyst Mel Croad described the North Island losses as a devastating blow for farmer morale.
“It’s been a cruel start to the spring for many sheep farmers, the first week delivered cold weather and heavy rain which is a pretty tough environment for new born lambs and couldn’t come at a worse time for sheep farmers.”
Patoka Station, Hawke’s Bay owner Ben Crosse said about 750 of his lambs had died, one of the biggest death tolls in his 35 years of farming. He runs 4000 ewes.
Some sheep farmers he knew had lost 20-30 per cent of their lambs, and dairy farmers had also had their share of calf losses.
At current prices of $144 per mature lamb, the economic hit could be $14.4 million.
Thanks to Laurel for this link
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September 17, 2018 at 02:19PM
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