The facts about sheep & beef
There are around 13,000 sheep and beef farms in New
Zealand.- There were about 32.4 million sheep in 2009 in New Zealand.
- The major sheep breed in the North Island and southern districts of the South Island is Romney. Corriedale and Halfbreed sheep are mainly found in Canterbury. Merinos are generally found in the high country.
- We export around 90% of our sheep and beef meat.
- New Zealand is the third largest producer of wool on a 'clean' basis in the world. The main shear takes place from November to January.
- The main breeds of cattle in New Zealand are Mixedbreed and Angus. The most common dairy cows are Fresians.
- Beef cattle numbers were around 4.2 million in 2009.
- Few farmers devote themselves exclusively to beef production; in general the raising and finishing of beef cattle is carried out in conjunction with sheep farming.
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Some of the biggest meat processors in New Zealand are Silver Fern Farms, Alliance, AFFCO, Canterbury Meat processors and ANZCO.