Sheep

Landcorp Farming has 74 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. Landcorp is also a major supplier of cross-bred wools, largely sold through contractual supply arrangements.

Sheep flocks are predominantly Romney ewes in the North Island and Landcorp's Landmark composite in the South Island. Where heavyweight lean lamb production is the specific goal, terminal sires are usually either Texel or Landcorp's Lamb Supreme composite breed. Landcorp's annual lambing rate is consistently higher than the New Zealand industry average (refer to Balanced Scorecard for further information). Lambs are sent to processors mainly between December and April, for supply to both export and local meat markets.

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