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Agriland
3 days ago
- Agriland
Survey shows New Zealand beef cattle numbers up, sheep down
The total number of sheep in New Zealand dropped by 1% in the past year, while beef cattle numbers rose 4.4%, according to a new survey. Beef and Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has released its annual stock number survey for the year ending June 30, 2025. B+LNZ noted a continued shift towards more beef cattle within sheep and beef farming systems as farmers respond to more consistently high cattle prices. The survey found that the decline in the total sheep numbers to 23.36 million is modest and in contrast to the sharp falls of recent years. This was attributed to more trading hoggets (8.36 million) being on hand at June 30, owing to the late season. B+LNZ voiced concern over the 1.9% decrease in breeding ewes to 14.28 million, which it said is "the indicator to watch for the direction of production". The spring 2025 lamb crop, estimated at 19.29 million head, is 120,000 lower (-0.6%) than last season. This decrease is on top of a significant, 1.5 million head, fewer lambs born last season. An uptick in farm-gate prices for sheep over recent months was noted in the report. According to B+LNZ, meat processors struggled this year with low lamb supply which is expected to continue into the coming year. The organisation said the drop in breeding ewes in most regions of the country is "largely because of ongoing land-use change and periodic feed shortages". "While prices are high and farmer confidence has recovered, forestry remains a major concern for farmers as it relates to the critical mass of the sector," the report stated. Beef cattle numbers increased to 3.84 million head over the year, driven by strong farm-gate prices. Farmers were also rebuilding herds following drought in the South Island last year and Cyclone Gabrielle in the North Island in 2023. The number of beef calves born in spring is expected to increase 2.8% to an estimated 71,000 head due to more breeding cows and good conception rates. Despite climatic challenges in some regions, the survey found farmer sentiment has improved, buoyed by better farm-gate prices. B+LNZ chair Kate Acland said there are reasons for optimism in the sheep and beef sector given recent strong prices, although significant challenges remain. 'We're seeing rebuilding of stock numbers in several regions after drought and other adverse weather events led to sharper reductions in the last two years. "Farmers are getting much better prices and are feeling more confident about shorter-term prospects," she said. B+LNZ has claimed that 2.6 million stock units have "been lost to afforestation since 2017", adding that "afforestation is responsible for 78% of the total reduction in sheep and beef stock numbers since 2017". 'The government has set a goal of doubling exports by 2034, and sheep and beef farmers will be essential to achieving this goal. Nearly 20% of New Zealand's export earnings, NZ$10.4 billion in 2024, come from the red meat sector. 'But we can't double exports if we've planted our best farmland in pine trees. We're calling on the government to do more to restrict whole-farm sales for entry into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)," Acland said.
The Irish Sun
11-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
The €16.99 Aldi Ireland buy that ‘keeps your car clean' with 3 accessories – and it comes with extra perks for travel
ALDI Ireland is set to sell a unique cleaning product at a bargain price - and they're excellent for travelling. The bargain supermarket has stocked the shelves of the popular middle aisle with a range of new products. 4 Aldi Ireland is selling a perfect product for cleaning your car Credit: Getty 4 The cordless vacuum can clean hard-to-reach areas Credit: Aldi Ireland 4 It's priced at €16.99 Credit: Aldi Ireland The Ride+Go Cordless Car Vacuum is priced at €16.99. It is designed to keep your car sparkling clean as it can solve residual dust in the corners and crevices of your car. It is equipped with the HEPA filter, which can be repeatedly cleaned. The product ensures that at least 99 per cent of dust, pollen, mould, bacteria and any airborne particles are removed from your car. The lightweight and durable machine has a transparent dust bucket that can show the users how much space is left during the cleaning process. The content in the dust bucket can be poured out with a twist. And those who are conscious of the noise level will be glad to know that it has a low decibel noise level, meaning it wouldn't be as loud as the usual vacuums. It has an LED lighting function which notifies you if the cordless vacuum requires a charge or not before your deep car clean. The universal Type-C charging cable can charge the vacuum, which is already included in the product. I bought huge swimming pool in Aldi Ireland at bargain price - it's perfect for heatwave and best money I've ever spent Customers also get three blowing accessories which can inflate the inflatable bed, inflatable pillow, swimming ring and so on, making it easier for your travels. The product is only available in black. Shoppers can now purchase the bargain cleaning machine in stores nationwide. However, fans are warned that it is only available while stocks last. The range also offers the Ride+Go All-In-One Car Cleaning Brush for just €9.99. It is designed to keep the exterior of the car sparkling clean. Shoppers can choose from Chenille Brush or PET Brush. Each brush has its own purpose. The Chenille Brush can remove the excess dirt and bird poo that was caught during the drive. And the PET Brush can remove the pet hairs from your car. However, it does not include a bucket or car washing solutions, meaning shoppers must pay an extra euro to clean their car at home. 4 The range has a lot of new additions for cleaning the car Credit: Aldi Ireland
Agriland
10-08-2025
- Agriland
Watch: Using local grain to produce quality whiskey
In 1979, Loughran's Stores Ltd was founded just outside of Dundalk, in Haggardstown, Co. Louth, but the Loughran family has been farming the land since 1908. The company's managing director, James Loughran, the third generation of his family to farm the land, explained to Agriland that originally, it was an "old Land Commission" farm - 40ac and a farmhouse. In the 1970s, the grain store was built, and trading began with farmers in the local area, a number of which Loughran's still trade with today. Loughran joined the business in 2002, with the goal of doing something "slightly different, but still within our skill set", especially with the company's wheat, oats, and barley. In the early 2010s, while on holiday in Canada, Loughran became interested in Vancouver's craft beer scene, and the city's intake of malt barley per year. Back home, he recognised that the Irish brewing and distilling industries were growing for smaller, independent businesses. However, Loughran felt that there was limited opportunities for Irish brewers to access local malt - crushed, in 25kg bags - simply because the facilities were not there. In 2014, the company started crushing a small amount of malt barley, and supplied it to breweries around Ireland. Crusher at Loughran's Storehouse, Co. Louth Over the years, the company has diversified what it distributes, to offer brewers a full range of base malt, specialty malts, and hops. The company continued to expand and followed a simple, but effective, business model - provide brewers and distillers with all the ingredients they need: a "one-stop shop", as Loughran himself puts it. The Old Carrick Mill Distillery is 30km away from Loughran's Storehouse, just across the county border, in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. The distillery was founded by Steven Murphy, a Monaghan native, and is supplied by Loughran's. Murphy founded Old Carrick Mill 14 years ago, on the site of an old mill which leads back to the world-famous B&G vineyard in Bordeaux, France, and the Barton family. Having traced the mill's roots all the way south of France, B&G gifted Murphy 50 of its finest red wine barrels, which he filled them with whiskey. Despite its continental history, Old Carrick Distillery is rooted firmly in south Co. Monaghan. Throughout the premises, Murphy has links to the local area proudly on display. A local expression is proudly etched into the bottles of whiskey: "From Carrickmacross to Crossmaglen, there are more rogues than honest men." Whiskey produced at Old Carrick Mill Distillery However, gin was Old Carrick Mill Distillery's first product. Murphy explained that the only "law" in making gin is that the main botanical is juniper, and it has to be 40% alcohol. As a result, Murphy began growing junipers on site in Carrickmacross so that he could produce 100% Irish gin further down the line. He planted the trees "eight or nine" years ago, with mixed results. According to Murphy, junipers are a "lazy" tree, and it could be 10 years before they put out a berry. Once harvested, Murphy intends to use his junipers to make gin along with other Irish products, such as apples and blackberries. "Who is to say gin has to taste a certain way?" Murphy asked. "It has to have junipers in it, but everything else can be different."
