The profitability of beef production on some New Zealand sheep farms : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Farm Management at Massey University

Abstract

New Zealand sheep farmers are currently receiving product prices which, when considered in relation to their farm costs, are the lowest they have been for many years. Wool prices appear unlikely to recover to levels experienced ten years ago and many sheep farmers are still relying on wool as a major source of farm income. There is an increasing awareness that beef animals can no longer be regarded as aids to good sheep husbandry and instead, must make a direct contribution to farm income. The increasing acceptance of animals of dairy origin as beef-producers, and continued confidence in the long-term market for beef, have helped provide a climate for large-scale moves toward beef-production on many New Zealand sheep farms. As a consequence, there has been a rapid increase in demand for economic information on all aspects of beef production and particularly with relation to established sheep enterprises. It is intended that this thesis shoud go some way towards meeting this demand. [From Introduction]