The year ahead for beef farmers

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 36, 26 February 1985, Page 8

The year ahead for beef farmers

This week the King Country's MAF officer Mr Will Wilson, takes a look at what the future holds for beef farmers, and at farm costs. This follows on from last week's preview of the year ahead for sheep farmers. Beef The beef schedule is based on saies and prices in the United States. As the U.S. dollar strengthens against the N.Z. dollar the schedule will continue to rise. Beef has been receiving low prices in the U.S. due to the large kill of the U.S.

dairy herd. As this has wound down, beef prices have started to rise from 97 . cents/lb to 105 cents/lb. Every rise of 1 cent/lb in the U.S. sees the N.Z. schedule rise by 5 cents/kg. Indications are that the U.S. beef schedule price will continue to rise over the next twelve months. The longer term outlook for beef, (to 1987) is looking very promising. Farm costs Farm costs, excluding inflation, are expected to rise by 7-10% as a result of increased fertiliser costs, transport charges and rural

bank interest rates. Inflationary forces on farm stores and materials is additional. Summary Farmers are generally having an excellent year financially for 1984/85, with wool saies, lamb saies and " beef saies well up. Farm costs have yet to make major increases, although over the next two months prices will increase rapidly. Next season sheep meat returns will be down, wool returns unchanged and beef returns up. Farm costs will be up considerably.

Thirteen farmers attended the annual Provincial Shearing School at Mr Doug Bennett's farm last week. The course was the first of a series being put on by the New Zealand Wool Board. Senior shearing instructor, Mr Alan Barker, says it is essential for would-be shearers. Pictured are those who attended the course, L to R: Back: Dan Walker, from England, Greg Robinson, George Taylor, Mathew Proude, Ray Ellis, Dec Akapita, Danny Wallace, Michelle Meyer, Whetu Mareikura, and Senior Instructor, Alan Barker. Front: Martin Fromont, Karl Wild, from Germany, Bryan Albert and Pat Wilson.