Sheep farmers have weathered the effects of this summer's extremes and are enjoying bumper prices for the important Easter lamb export trade, says the country's biggest sheepmeat exporter, Alliance Group. Alliance has just completed its important Easter chilled lamb programme for Europe, and prices are at their highest point since 2011. Heather Stacy, Alliance's general manager of livestock said unusually dry weather in Southland had put farmers to the test. It looked like Southland had seen the worst of the dry weather, thanks to recent rain, although farmers could do with more, she said. ASB rural economist Nathan Penny told The Country radio show that the mood at Waimumu was "relaxed" thanks to stronger lamb prices and a $6.40/kg milk price forecast from Fonterra.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2018 01:07 UTC