Hawke's Bay Summer Dry
Model Description
This model represents 863 summer dry farms situated between the Mohaka River in the north and Cape Palliser in the south. The properties are prone to summer dry periods as they are situated away from the western ranges, are exposed to westerly winds, and receive a relatively low annual rainfall with an uneven distribution.
Most farms represented by the model have a sheep policy of running a breeding flock and rearing replacements. However, on the smaller farms, there has been a trend towards the purchase of replacement ewes and using terminal sires to provide greater management flexibility. Lamb sales are a mix of prime and store sales, depending on the season. Cattle policies are varied, but most farms represented by the model have a breeding herd.
This model was changed for the 1999/2000 and 2000/01 years due to a change of survey sample. The new model is marginally larger and has a higher stocking rate and cattle to sheep ratio than the model used prior to this change. Thus, direct comparison of gross financial indices between the 1998/99 year and later years should be treated with caution, although it is valid to make these comparisons on a per stock unit and per hectare basis.
| Table 1: The Model in Summary 1999/2000 | ||||
| Effective area, | 479 | ha | ||
| Closing stock wintered: | ||||
| Breeding ewes | 2,481 | hd | Breeding cows | 78 hd |
| Replacement ewe hoggets | 776 | hd | R1yr cattle | 89 hd |
| Other sheep | 318 | hd | R2yr cattl | 102 hd |
| Total stock units wintered | 4,786 | su | Other Cattle | 13 hd |
Table 2: Key Parameters |
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| 1998/99 | 1999/2000 | 2000/01f | |
| Area (ha effective) | 428 | 479 | 487 |
| Closing sheep stock units | 2,769 | 3,285 | 3,328 |
| Closing cattle stock units | 847 | 1,468 | 1,596 |
| Closing total stock units | 3,616 | 4,786 | 4,958 |
| Stocking rate (su/ha) | 8.45 | 10.2 | 10.0 |
| Lambing % | 106 | 120 | 120 |
| Average lamb price ($/hd) | 36.63 | 39.85 | 40.25 |
| Average wool price ($/kg) | 2.43 | 2.51 | 2.6 |
| Total wool produced (kg) | 13,253 | 16,930 | 17,348 |
| Wool (kg/su) | 5.04 | 5.15 | 5.21 |
| Average R2yr steer ($/hd) | N/A | 858 | 839 |
| Average rnixed age bull ($/hd) | 689 | 928 | 1,030 |
| Average cull cow ($/hd) | N/A | 557 | 576 |
| Gross farm revenue ($) | 121,512 | 241,703 | 259,301 |
| Cash farm surplus ($) | 6,667 | 71,255 | 80,740 |
Key Points
- The 1999/2000 year resulted in the best financial results for over 15 years.
- Good pasture covers for autumn 1999 and 2000 allowed better feeding and additional stock to be carried.
- There is a continued trend toward running more flexible stock policies.
- Farmers have restored confidence and a positive outlook, with the expectation of continued good beef, lamb and deer prices, and a strong financial result in 2000/01.
- Increased reinvestment occurred during 1999/2000 in the areas of farm development, plant and equipment replacement, repairs and maintenance, and fertiliser.
Physical Factors
A favourable autumn and winter in 1999 provided good feed supplies and allowed rebuilding of stock numbers and stock condition, as well as high lamb and calf survival rates.
Spring rainfall was well below average, which limited spring pasture growth rates. Some areas in the Wairarapa received only 25% of normal rainfall from August to October. This reduced lamb weaning weights by 2-4 kg (down 8-10%) on normal.
Good rainfall in December through to late January resulted in exceptional pasture growth, producing surplus feed on most of these typically summer dry farms. The wet summer conditions continued in Wairarapa, but in Hawke's Bay rainfall was very low from early February to the end of March. Central Hawke's Bay was particularly dry, with some districts receiving only 7 mm of rainfall over an eight-week period.
Mild temperatures and adequate rainfall in Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay during April and May 2000 resulted in above average pasture growth rates and pasture cover, providing a positive outlook for winter feed supplies.
A record year for lambing percentage was recorded in 1999, at 120%. This was a result of better feeding, lower stock numbers, a focus on meat production as opposed to wool, and use of cross breeding and new sheep breeds.
Slaughter weights of cattle and lambs after December 1999 were higher than normal, with extra pasture allowing most farmers to retain stock longer.
The earlier lambing properties experienced good pregnancy scanning results. This was probably due to good pasture covers and pasture growth rates in January/early February.
In Hawke's Bay the dry February/March resulted in some mid-season mated ewes (particularly in March) losing weight during mating, which has probably reduced in-lamb rates. Even in the Wairarapa, where feed supplies were abundant, some ewe mating weights were disappointing. The prevalence of poor quality feed and autumn animal health problems were the main factors. Poor cattle liveweight gains were also experienced in areas where pasture quality was reduced.
The outlook for the 2000/01 year is very positive. Farmers are forecasting lambing percentages at the same level as in 1999 (i.e., 120%). Calving percentages are also predicted to remain similar to 1999/2000 levels. Consultants consider these expectations could be optimistic given the fact that many farmers do not have accurate records on weight changes up to, and following, mating. Some farmers who have been weighing ewes over this period identified weight loss.
As occurred in the wet autumn of 1999, animal health problems were again a feature of autumn 2000. Problems included ryegrass staggers, facial eczema and possible zearalenone problems. Farmers expressed frustration over poor liveweight gains over this period.
Lambing percentage was a record in 1999/2000, despite the lambing results from the two-tooths born in 1997 being disappointing. This was probably due to the impact of the 1998 drought and facial eczema damage during the summer of 1999.
Fly strike continues to be a major challenge to sheep farming in these warm environments, and issues are arising in terms of chemical use and sustainability.
Some farmers chose not to mate their ewe hoggets this year because of the autumn ill thrift and liveweights being below target. Overall the expected hogget lambing percentage is expected to be maintained at the 1999 level of 8%.
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