New Zealand-Ewe numbers down.

NEW ZEALAND

EWE NUMBERS FALL SHORT.

The sheep numbers in New Zealand, have dropped by 4.3 million this year to a record low of 34.2 million sheep. This is an 11% drop, which is going to impact spring lamb prices this year.

Dairy expansion and the move to arable farming, are the main root causes of the decline in the flock. For the year 2009, lamb slaughter numbers are forecast at 20.3 million for the season, which is a drop pf 6 million lambs on last year. Sheep slaughter is expected at 2.9 million, a drop of 3 million on last year.

However the dairy industry has seen over 300 new dairy farms, this year the dairy herd now running at 5.6 million milking cows.

Beef on the other hand, has seen a 4% decline in numbers on last year.

The meat industry in New Zealand has two major problems, the first being over capacity at the meat plants. The second is the conflict between the two major farmers cooperatives, who control 65-75 % of all meat exports