March 27, 2009

New Zealand's beef production in February fell 5 percent on-year, as a decline in steer and bull numbers more than offset the higher cow and heifer slaughter.

Beef production for February totalled 64,257 tonnes cwt, with adult cattle slaughter decreasing 4 percent to 247,529 head while average carcass weight dropped 1.6 percent on-year to 259.6 kg per head, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Cow and heifer slaughter increased 9 percent in February to 115,788 head.

The increased cow slaughter in New Zealand and the US has caused cow prices to drop, as US buyers anticipated a surge in supplies.

The price received for a 195-220 kg cow fell from A$195 (US$136.4) in early February to A$175 (US$122.5) in early March, although prices have recovered slightly since, the New Zealand Agrifax said.