SHEEP Country 2025

When asking for drench performance information when buying stock or land, it is recommended that farmers get a series of tests carried out over time. Words Sandra Taylor.

There are many factors that impact lamb survival including feed planning to avoid underfeeding, body condition scoring and pregnancy. Words Sandra Taylor.

Since 2023, over 300 farms across 16 regions have collected faecal samples from October to May as part of the Sheep Poo Study now entering its final season. Words Sandra Taylor

Understanding how pasture plants grow will give farmers the ability to manage pastures to optimise productivity, persistence and profitability.

Legumes are the engine room that drive the Zino family’s sheep, beef and deer operation with their whole farm system geared around these high-protein forages. Words Sandra Taylor, Photos Lucy Hunter-Weston.

Work is ongoing to improve the eating quality of lamb in line with genetic improvements in other productive traits. Words Sandra Taylor.

When used in combination with ultrasound scanning, CT scanning can almost double the rate of genetic progress in IMF compared to using ultrasound alone. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Trade lambs are a key farming enterprise at Hafton Station, but when they discovered drench resistance on their Hawke’s Bay farm in 2019, Michael and Karen Toulmin knew they needed to re-evaluate their
whole farm system. Words Rebecca Greaves and Photos John Cowpland.

In a world where certainty is in short supply, our former chief trade negotiator believes that opportunity remains if we appreciate the growing importance of environmental standards in New Zealand’s trade agreements. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

2024 tested the resilience of New Zealand’s sheep industry, but there are indications we have turned a corner. Words Sirma Karapeeva.