NZ sheep numbers decline at a slower annual pace as farmers rebuild flocks

NZ sheep numbers decline at a slower annual pace as farmers rebuild flocks
Tina Morrison
By Tina Morrison Aug. 15 (BusinessDesk) - The steady decline in New Zealand's sheep numbers continued at a slower pace over the past year as farmers in some areas rebuilt their flocks following drought, natural disasters and the impact of facial eczema. Sheep numbers reduced to an estimated 27.34 million as at June 30 from 27.58 million a year earlier, according to the latest survey from the Economic Service of farmer-owned industry organisation Beef + Lamb New Zealand. The annual 0.9 percent decline compares with last year's 5.3 percent...