Cattle

Landcorp Farming has 61 sheep and beef farms. Depending on location, climate and land type, they are used for breeding, growing and/or finishing sheep and beef cattle to market specifications. Most farms carry a mix of sheep and cattle (and some also have deer). Typically, flock and herd progeny are bred and finished on the same farms. However there are still significant numbers of animals transferred at weaning from breeding to finishing units. Finishing involves the monitoring of animal growth against specific weight criteria before they are sent for meat processing.

All animals are predominantly pasture fed on perennial ryegrass and clover species. Other legumes, brassicas and fodder crops are grown as a part of pasture renewal programmes and to meet supplementary winter feed requirements. The geographical spread of properties enables Landcorp to integrate their management during periods of drought, with livestock transferred between farms to mitigate losses in production.

Landcorp supplies meat processors through a variety of contractual arrangements, including special supply agreements linked to specific market opportunities. The Company prides itself on delivering high quality animals on time and to particular market-driven specifications. The latter reflect mainly demand in the lamb and beef export markets of Europe and North America.

Beef breeding herds are predominantly Landcorp-bred Angus cows. In the main the Company uses Aberdeen Angus, or heavy-weight terminal Simmental sires, according to the target market. The annual calving rate is consistently higher than the New Zealand industry average (refer to Balanced Scorecard for further information). Cattle are supplied all-year for processing, mainly for export markets but also local trade.

The volumes of Landcorp production enable the Company to place the bulk of its supply with large New Zealand-based processors and customers, while also being able to serve niche markets for animals and animal products. Customers are encouraged to register their interest by contacting: enquiries@landcorp.co.nz