Bad weather causes dramatic drop in lamb numbers

Fewer ewes, lower conception rates and more bad weather have caused lamb numbers to fall this year.

Last year's crop produced 33.09 million lambs in its peak season, while this year lamb numbers have reached only 31.145 million. The North Island and South Island have had 5 per cent more lamb losses so far this season.

The Meat and Wool Innovation Economic Service chief economist, Brian Speirs, said the drop in numbers was not unexpected.

"Drought conditions last season have had a double impact on lamb numbers this spring and now adverse spring conditions have affected lamb numbers even further."

Sheep Council national chairman Malcolm Taylor said Marlborough had not been affected as severely as some other areas in the country thanks to the lambing spread in the district.

Meat New Zealand chief executive Mark Jefferies said that nationally the lambing season was likely to finish later this year.

"With the colder conditions experienced this year we would expect the lambing season to be extended. This will mean tighter supplies to our overseas markets prior to Christmas."

- NZPA