Hawke's Bay Summer Moist
Model Description
This model represents an estimated 1,066 summer moist farms from Wairoa southwards through the western side of Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa, extending down to the northern Tararuas.
The farms have breeding flocks of ewes of predominantly romneys and coopworths, with a trend to increased breed diversity. All replacements are bred on the farm and the majority of lambs and surplus ewes are sold for slaughter.
Most farms have breeding cows, but many are trending towards more flexible cattle policies, introducing dairy-bred bull beef policies.
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: | 458 ha | ||
| Closing stock wintered | |||
| Breeding ewes | 2,626 hd | Breeding cows | 71 hd |
| Replacement ewe hoggets | 846 hd | R1yr cattle | 142 hd |
| Other sheep | 173 hd | R2yr cattle | 52 hd |
| Total stock units wintered | 4,764 su | Other cattle | 2 hd |
Table 2: Key Parameters
1998/99 |
1999/2000 |
2000/01f |
|
| Area (ha effective) | 450 | 458 | 466 |
| Closing sheep stock units | 3,418 | 3,364 | 3,383 |
| Closing cattle stock units | 951 | 1,334 | 1,494 |
| Closing total stock units | 4,369 | 4,764 | 4,946 |
| Closing rate (su/ha) | 971 | 10.05 | 1023 |
| Lambing % | 111 | 124 | 125 |
| Average lamb price ($/hd) | 36,68 | 47.15 | 46.56 |
| Average wool price ($/kg) | 2.45 | 2,52 | 2,61 |
| Total wool produced (kg) | 18,127 | 19,215 | 20,307 |
| Wool (kg/su) | 5.49 | 5.80 | 6.04 |
| Average R2yr steer ($/lid) | 700 | 765 | 786 |
| Average mixed age bull ($/hd) | NA | 922 | 898 |
| Average cull cow ($/hd) | 390 | 639 | 588 |
| Gross farm revenue ($) | 180,535 | 280,147 | 295,551 |
| Cash farm surplus ($) | 47,315 | 104,974 | 113,192 |
| Net trading profit ($) | 42,157 | 106,339 | 121,189 |
Key Points
- The 1999/2000 year has produced the best financial results for over 15 years.
- Good pasture covers in 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 expectations of continued good beef, lamb and deer prices, and a strong financial result in 2000/01.
- Increased reinvestment occurred in the areas of farm development, plant and equipment replacement, repairs and maintenance, and fertiliser in 1999/2000.
Physical Factors
The 1999/2000 year resulted in good pasture production and stock performance, with both Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa experiencing surplus pasture levels. The weather was generally better in Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa due to the predominance of the La Nina easterly weather pattern.
Hawke's Bay experienced a dry autumn in 1999, while Wairarapa enjoyed one of the best autumns on record. Both regions experienced a mild 1999 winter and spring, which resulted in excellent pasture growth, setting up the farms represented by this model for a good lambing and allowing rebuilding of stock numbers.
Farms in Hawke's Bay experienced a dry period in February and March, which was alleviated by rain in late March.
Mild temperatures and adequate rainfall resulted in above average pasture growth rates and pasture cover for the months of April and May.
The 1999/2000 lambing percentage was adversely affected by a dry autumn and animal health problems around tupping. Facial eczema was the primary animal health issue, but other fungal toxins are suspected. Two-tooth conception and lambing were most affected (down 15-25%). However, due to excellent lamb survival resulting from the mild spring, lambing percentage was 124%.
Dry conditions from August to November restricted pasture growth and lamb growth rates in the Wairarapa in particular, where lamb weaning weights were 2-4 kg below average levels. Lambs took slightly longer to finish over the summer due to lighter weights.
Calving during 1999 was relatively successful due to the mild spring. However, cattle liveweights were 30-50 kg below target by early spring in Wairarapa due to the dry spring, and marketing was delayed by 30-60 days.
A slow animal growth period was experienced in autumn due to animal health issues, including intestinal worms and fungal toxins. Despite good feed conditions, stock have not performed as expected. More stock deaths resulting from facial eczema in two-tooths and some mixed aged ewes has lowered flock performance. Some rising 1-year (R1yr) and rising 2-year (R2yr) cattle showed signs of facial eczema in the early spring.
High rainfall from December 1999 onwards led to feed quality problems on many farms, with excess growth and poor palatability.
Facial eczema significantly affected production in 1999/2000. The southern North Island had one of its worse outbreaks ever (over autumn 1999) which caught many farmers unaware. Farmers in this model observed less damage due to cooler, wetter conditions compared to earlier/drier country.
Fly strike and intestinal worms were significant issues affecting stock growth. It is estimated that farmers spent 30-50 cents/ssu on fly control.
Moist autumn conditions favoured the survival of porina larvae. Porina are identified as a potential problem, with the possibility of pasture damage occurring between July and September unless susceptible farmers spray for the pest in June 2000.
| © MAF 2000 |  |
|
| MAFnet Help | Important Disclaimer |
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
Contact this person
