Sheep and dairy cattle numbers increase slightly

Sheep and dairy cattle numbers showed small increases in 2010 while deer numbers were stable and beef cattle numbers decreased, Statistics New Zealand said today. These are final results from the 2010 Agricultural Production Survey.

Favourable weather conditions with no major lambing losses helped the national sheep flock register a small increase in 2010. The national flock had 32.6 million sheep, 180,000 more than in 2009. This increase follows drought-affected losses of 1.7 million in 2009 and 4.4 million in 2008. The increase in 2010 occurred in the South Island, which had a total of 16.5 million sheep. The North Island number was stable, at 16 million.

The lambing percentage was 127 percent in the year ended 30 June 2010, after recovering from the two previous years.  This level was last recorded in 2006.

Between 2009 and 2010 the national dairy herd increased by 50,000 to 5.9 million. In 2009, the dairy herd had increased by 280,000, and in 2008 by 320,000.

"The 2010 increase occurred in the North Island, which had close to 3.9 million dairy cattle in 2010. Unlike in recent years, the South Island number did not increase in 2010, remaining at 2.1 million," agriculture statistics manager Hamish Hill said.

Beef cattle numbered 3.9 million, down 4 percent since 2009. The number of deer was stable, at 1.1 million. The North Island is home to over 70 percent of all beef animals, while deer farming is concentrated in the lower South Island.

The area of exotic forest harvested increased by 9 percent, to 43,800 hectares, during the year ended 31 March 2010. This increase was driven by the strong international demand for New Zealand logs. Over 70 percent was harvested in the North Island – mainly in the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Northland regions.

The agricultural sector, including horticulture, accounts for two-thirds of merchandise exports. The 2010 survey was a sample survey of livestock and arable farmers, and foresters. It was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Geoff Bascand 12 May 2011

Government Statistician