Looking at the calendar for the next few months, there are two things that stand out – the huge amount of A&P shows going on across the country and the fast-approaching traditional weaner fair season.
Now that the lamb markets are well established and everyone has a good idea of what they will be paying for lambs, thoughts will inevitably turn to the weaner market and how 2017’s season will play out.
I’m sure I don’t need to remind any of you about the traditional weaner markets of 2015 and 2016 where prices lifted many an eyebrow and stretched budgets to the limits. But the prices were paid and the records set and now we look to this year to see if the results can be mirrored.
Things are a bit different this year though and there are a few vital factors that will affect prices. Grass for one thing – some have it in abundance and some don’t. The dry areas will be unlikely to take on much in the way of young stock, which will take a chunk of buyers out of the Hawke’s Bay and Northland markets, but there is the hope that these buyers will be replaced with those with good feed levels on the western side of the island.
That said though, there is still strong competition for store cattle and while I think prices will not exceed last year’s record levels, I don’t think they will be too far off. The South Island will be one to watch, going on the continued strength of the store markets and a general lack of the good old traditional cattle.
The other main factor will be if the margins on the previous year’s weaners will be enough to enter a market at these levels again.
