PRODUCTION LOSSES
Ninety five percent of farmer respondents reported a drop in wool production following the snows with 98% reporting a reduced lambing percentage. Reduced calving percentage was reported by 91% of farmers. The mean depression in wool weights compared with 'normal' years was 0.8kg, ranging from a low of 0.4kg in the high country to 1.0kg on Banks Peninsula (Table 11). Part of the reason for the smaller response in the high country may have been due to the fact that many high country flocks are shorn in early spring leaving a smaller interval from the snows to shearing. Lambing percentages were down by an average of 34%, Banks Peninsula flocks being the most affected. Calving percentages were estimated to be down by 18 - 21% on the high country and Banks Peninsula but downs and plains properties were only slightly affected (7%). Fawning losses were exceptionally high in the high country (51%) with zero losses on the plains survey farms.
Table 11: Livestock Production Losses Attributable to Snow
| Farm Type | Wool | Lambing | Calving | Fawning |
| (kg) | (%) | (%) | (%) | |
| High Country | 0.4 | 23 | 18 | 51 |
| Hill Country | 0.8 | 33 | 16 | 14 |
| Banks Peninsula | 1.0 | 46 | 21 | 18 |
| Downs | 0.9 | 37 | 7 | 15 |
| Plains | 0.8 | 31 | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 0.8 | 33.6 | 15.6 | 21.5 |
Comments on the effect of Snow on production losses
Almost 50% of farmers observed an adverse effect of the snows on wool quality with increased colour problems, cotting and breaks especially in summer shown wool (Table 12). Ewes were more difficult to shear. However some farmers shearing in early spring or on an 8 month shearing regime observed only slight effects on wool quality but these were in the minority. Other farmers reported a higher incidence of dry ewes together with a delayed calving and increased incidence of dry cows. Differences between farm types were small.
Table 12: Effect of Snow on Animal Productivity
| General Comments | Responses | |
| No effect on production | 2.8 | |
| No effect on wool quality | 4.2 | |
| Slight effect on wool quality | ||
| . | 8 mth shear | 0.9 |
| . | shore through break | 1.4 |
| Adverse effect on wool quality | 46.9 |
||
| poor colour | 11.7 | ||
| more cotts | 14.1 | ||
| more breaks | 18.3 | ||
| high yielding | 1.4 | ||
| more moit/VM | 1.4 | ||
| summer shorn wool poor | 2.8 | ||
| Increased dry ewes next season |
8.4 | ||
| Difficulty shearing |
6.7 | ||
| Ewe liveweights down |
5.1 | ||
| Increased dry cows next season |
4.2 | ||
| Smaller lambs at weaning |
4.2 | ||
| Production affected for 12 months |
4.2 | ||
| Effects due to autumn carry-over |
2.8 | ||
| Delayed calving | 2.3 | ||
| Velvet production decreased |
0.6 |
||
Effect of snow fall on animal health
Thirty four percent of farmers reported increased parasitism and a further 20.4% increased ill-thrift as a result of the snows (Table 13). As well as increased pleurisy and pneumonia in hoggets (6.8%) there were reports of stress magnesium deficiency in cows, deaths from which were reduced using causmag sprinkled on hay. Increased susceptibility to mineral deficiency (cobalt, selenium, copper) were reported in sheep and deer following the snows.
Table 13 Effect of Snowfall on Animal Health
| Comment | Response | |
| (%) | ||
| No effect | 25.0 | |
| Increased parasitism | 34.1 | |
| Ill Health | 20.4 | |
| Pleurisy and pneumonia | 6.8 | |
| Magnesium deficiency in cows | 4.6 | |
| Macrocarpa poisoning | 4.5 | |
| Copper and selenium deficiency in deer | 2.3 | |
| Cobalt deficiency | 2.3 |
Lambing date
When asked whether their lambing date was suitable 88% of farmers expressed satisfaction concluding that a snow could happen at any time and that lambing date should be appropriate for the type of country. However 12% thought they lambed too early and were considering putting lambing back. Death rates in ewes lambing during or after the August snow were higher than for ewes lambing prior to the snows but differences were not significant.
Main lambing date in relation to the August snow Ewe death rate
| Days | % |
| -30 to -60 days | 11.3 |
| 0 to -30 days | 10.9 |
| 0 to 30 days | 16.2 |
| 30 to 60 days | 17.3 |
Contact for Enquiries
North Island
Phil Journeaux
Manager
North Island Regions
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 7 957 8314
Fax: +64 7 957 8315
South Island
John Greer
Regional Team Leader
Natural Resources Group
MAF Policy
PO Box 20 280
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 3 943 1703
Fax: +64 3 943 1757
Contact this person
