May 3, 2010

Drought drives NZ beef production in March

New Zealand's beef production surged during March, as producers were forced to increase turnoff as seasonal conditions deteriorated on the back of below-average rainfall.

Production for the month, at 81,440 tonnes cwt, was both the highest March total on record and the highest monthly total since May 2006, according to reports.

The dry conditions were also reflected in the average carcass weight of adult cattle, which was back 7% from February, to 257kg/head. The lack of available feed caused animals to be sent to slaughter earlier, and in poorer condition, than in previous months.