Decline in New Zealand Lamb Numbers Predicted

August 10, 2007 - New Zealand lamb supplies for next year will be significantly reduced as the lamb crop is expected to be down. This will mean a much lower kill for next year, according to Meat and Wool New Zealand.

The Stock Number Survey, taken on July 1, 2007, signals that the lamb crop is likely to be down 1.7 million, because of the lower number of ewes being bred, resulting in an expected 2.9-percent decline in the overall lambing percentage.

This results in the predicted lamb slaughter decreasing 1.5 million (-5.7 percent) on the previous year. Overall sheep numbers dropped 2.4 percent from the previous year to 39.1 million head.
Reprinted in part from Meat and Wool New Zealand

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