Friday, March 29, 2024

OPINION: Sales wind up to Christmas

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I have wondered whether sales would wind up or down to Christmas. 
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The answer was blindingly clear by Tuesday of last week with a significant lift in numbers across most classes at the sales already held and the trend continued to the end of the week.

The growthy spring experienced by most farmers around the country meant there has been little pressure to offload but, as the end of the year draws closer and regions start to feel summer-like, the paddocks are drying off and decisions are being made.

With cattle prices so strong it has been an easy one for many to make with vendors the winners in this market for some time now. The bigger number of cattle on offer might have some easing affect but they are drawing out more buyers who are all too aware the numbers will drop away, so are getting stuck into buying from decent volumes while they can. Certainly sounds like a good equation for vendors.

Store lamb vendors on the other hand do not have the same fairytale story, which is leaving a feeling of discontent over this market. As store lamb numbers pick up the pressure is coming off the buyers and consequently prices are levelling out to be more realistic compared to schedule outlooks.

Prices are tracking in line with 2015 levels so it’s not a scenario farmers don’t know – just one they were hoping would work more in their favour. Recently I have heard a number of people question why they bother with sheep, given the amount of blood, sweat and tears that goes into farming them, with little reward. It is certainly something that we have discussed many times around our kitchen table and sadly for the poor old sheep, there has been some movement away from breeding ewes.

suz.bremner@nzx.com 

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