SHEEP
Smartworm app trials show targeted drenching cuts drench use
When used as part of an integrated parasite management plan, the Smartworm mobile phone app and Fast Worm ID test have been shown to significantly reduce drench use in lambs while retaining productivity. Words Sandra Taylor.
Shrinking US flock lifts demand and prices for NZ lamb
The fundamentals are clear. The US does not produce enough lamb on its own to satisfy its consumers. That means for New Zealand sheep farmers, the United States has become more than just an export destination but one of the key pillars supporting global lamb prices. Words Kate Acland.
Export value up 26% to $5.2 billion on steady volumes
New Zealand sheepmeat exporters have had a clear reminder over the past year that value matters just as much as volume. Words Nick Beeby.
B+LNZ parasite management groups grow to seven
In the face of widespread drench resistance, members of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Livestock Parasite Management Groups are demonstrating that practical management strategies can significantly reduce their reliance on drenches. Words Sandra Taylor.
Sheep poo study finds facial eczema spores nationwide
The country’s largest-ever sheep poo surveillance study created an unprecedented picture of facial eczema risk on New Zealand farms. Words Sandra Taylor.
Is it time NZ’s wool industry got a helping hand?
Strong wool has clawed its way out of the trough with pricing reaching record highs. The question facing growers now is whether they are willing to pay to keep it there and who else should chip in? Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
nProve Tracker shows how sire choices shape flock genetics
Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s recently launched online tool, nProve Tracker, will enable farmers to track the genetic progress of their flock over time. Words Sandra Taylor.
Rising shearing costs force a rethink of wool’s value
The question is no longer “What is wool worth?” but rather, “What does wool cost?” Independent modelling of a Central Hawke's Bay case study farm suggests a fully shedding flock could lift earnings by NZ$116,000 a year and argues most farmers are underestimating what wool production actually costs them. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
Should commercial sheep farmers genotype their ewes?
Anna Vaughan’s Kellogg report shows there is genuine appetite among commercial sheep farmers for genotyping, but concludes no single benefit yet justifies the cost. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
How breeders created SX Sheep, a footrot-resistant fine wool
History shows us that when a group of Kiwi farmers put their heads together, almost anything is possible. Words Mark Ferguson.