New Zealand lamb numbers decline steeply

There have been massive falls in New Zealand’s lamb numbers says the Farmer's Guardian.

The drop in export lambs is estimated at 23 per cent (6 million), according to the Meat and Wool New Zealand office.

The results of drought and farmers switching to the dairy industry have cost the sheep trade 4.3 million sheep in the last year.

This drop in export availability is double the worse recorded drop in the years 1988-1989.

Ewe numbers are estimated to be at 23.6 million, the lowest since 1952, and more than 300 large farms have converted from sheep to dairy in the last year.