Southland's lambing percentage has declined, in contrast to a record lambing percentage nationwide. The national average ewe lambing percentage for 2017 was 127.2, up 4.4 percentage points on last year and up 6.4 percentage points on the 10-year average of 120.8%. In the South Island the average ewe lambing percentage for 2017 was 126.4, up 0.3 percentage points on 2016. Otago increased slightly, up 2.0 percentage points to 124.9%, while Southland decreased 1.3 percentage points to 137.1%. In Southland, the combined effect of fewer ewes mated, a lower ewe lambing percentage and fewer lambs from hoggets led to a decrease in the number of lambs,'' the report said.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 16, 2017 16:07 UTC