March 2, 2007

New Zealand export cattle slaughter to jump 12 percent
 

Export cattle slaughter in New Zealand (NZ) during 2006/2007 (October 2006 - September 2007) is forecast to jump 12 percent on the previous year, to 2.23 million tonnes, according to Meat and Wool New Zealand's Sheep & Beef Mid Season Update 2006/2007.

The rise in export slaughter for the year is largely due to an expected 17 percent rise in cow slaughter, after large numbers of cows were held back from slaughter in 2005/2006, in order to rebuild herd numbers. Similarly, heifer slaughter numbers are forecast to jump 18 percent, to 262,200 head, while bull and steer slaughter levels are forecast to jump 14 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

Corresponding to the 12 percent rise in export slaughter during 2006/2007, NZ beef shipments for the year are forecast to rise 10 percent, to 410,000 tonnes, valued at a record NZ$2.49 billion.

NZ farm gate season averages for 2006/2007 are forecast to jump 7.5 percent, with steer and heifer grades averaging 346 cents per kilogramme per hundredweight (kg/cwt) with cows at 263 cents/kg cwt.