Drought marketing to reduce herd loss
Cattle farmers are taking on drought-related marketing to reduce the number of livestock on hand to better manage possible herd losses, the Meat Board has said.
This is indicated by live exports of cattle, which saw a 42.6% increase from the 15 577 cattle exported in July to 22 214 cattle exported in August.
This is 114.48% more than what was exported during the same month in 2022.
According to the Meat Board’s Monthly Market Watch, this could imply that the majority of live exports (98%) went to feedlots in South Africa, whereas the remainder went for farming and breeding purposes.
"No cattle were exported directly to South African abattoirs."
Weather patterns
The Meat Board said export abattoirs experienced an 8.98% increase in monthly slaughter from 10 702 heads of cattle in July to 11 662 heads in August.
This is 156.19% more than what was slaughtered during the same month last year.
According to the Meat Board, this could be attributed to drought-induced supply, influenced by low rainfall experienced during the 2022–2023 rainy season.
With an 80% chance of El Niño conditions expected to start between July and September, warmer and drier conditions are expected to be fuelled by this phenomenon.
"Historic data shows that there is normally a drop in the number of cattle slaughtered in August during normal rainfall years. In this case, the number of cattle is three times higher than what was slaughtered at export abattoirs during the same month last year."
Growth
The Meat Board further said that cattle prices saw increases across all categories in both veterinary zones of Namibia.
It said the weaner price witnessed a 2.35% growth from the previous month’s level of N$26.42/kg; however, this is 18.58% lower than a year ago.
"There have been significant increases in the number of cattle marketed at auctions compared to a year ago, with auction marketing increasing by almost double compared to the same month last year."
South African weaner prices, on the other hand, have declined by 4.5% from the previous month but have increased during the first weeks of September due to an increased demand for weaners.
During this time last year, fewer animals were marketed at auctions, leading to an increase in prices.
"This dynamic has changed with the number of cattle being auctioned being 73% more than what was marketed in 2022, dropping prices by 18.58%."
This is indicated by live exports of cattle, which saw a 42.6% increase from the 15 577 cattle exported in July to 22 214 cattle exported in August.
This is 114.48% more than what was exported during the same month in 2022.
According to the Meat Board’s Monthly Market Watch, this could imply that the majority of live exports (98%) went to feedlots in South Africa, whereas the remainder went for farming and breeding purposes.
"No cattle were exported directly to South African abattoirs."
Weather patterns
The Meat Board said export abattoirs experienced an 8.98% increase in monthly slaughter from 10 702 heads of cattle in July to 11 662 heads in August.
This is 156.19% more than what was slaughtered during the same month last year.
According to the Meat Board, this could be attributed to drought-induced supply, influenced by low rainfall experienced during the 2022–2023 rainy season.
With an 80% chance of El Niño conditions expected to start between July and September, warmer and drier conditions are expected to be fuelled by this phenomenon.
"Historic data shows that there is normally a drop in the number of cattle slaughtered in August during normal rainfall years. In this case, the number of cattle is three times higher than what was slaughtered at export abattoirs during the same month last year."
Growth
The Meat Board further said that cattle prices saw increases across all categories in both veterinary zones of Namibia.
It said the weaner price witnessed a 2.35% growth from the previous month’s level of N$26.42/kg; however, this is 18.58% lower than a year ago.
"There have been significant increases in the number of cattle marketed at auctions compared to a year ago, with auction marketing increasing by almost double compared to the same month last year."
South African weaner prices, on the other hand, have declined by 4.5% from the previous month but have increased during the first weeks of September due to an increased demand for weaners.
During this time last year, fewer animals were marketed at auctions, leading to an increase in prices.
"This dynamic has changed with the number of cattle being auctioned being 73% more than what was marketed in 2022, dropping prices by 18.58%."
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