Forecast to Farm, brought to you by Ravensdown, your partner behind the farm gate. Turning weather insights into practical information to help New Zealand farmers plan with confidence.

A farm adviser says weaning decisions through to December are the big play left for sheep and beef farmers facing El Niño.

BakerAg Agribusiness consultant Ed Harrison says farmers have eased stocking rates, sold surplus ewes and exited trade stock earlier.

“We make most of our revenue by Christmas, so we want to capture as much of that as we can, while at the same time preparing for what summer may throw at us,” he says.

Harrison says farmers should set trigger points while stress is manageable.

“Have a plan, communicate that with all the key stakeholders in your business, communicate it, and then when the pressure does come on, you pull the plan out of the top drawer and start implementing it.”

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