New Zealand's livestock mix continued to shift towards beef cattle over the past year, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s latest stock number survey.
Beef cattle numbers increased by an estimated 3.3 per cent to 3.96 million between 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2026.
During the same period, total sheep numbers fell an estimated 2.0 per cent to 22.78 million, with reductions recorded in every region. However, the lamb crop is expected to be relatively steady.
Kate Acland, chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, said increases in beef cattle numbers had been supported by strong returns, feed availability, and farmer preference for trading and finishing cattle.
“Despite fewer sheep, the lamb crop is forecast to be broadly stable at 19.75 million head, down just 0.3 per cent, supported by an estimated ewe lambing percentage of 132.3 per cent. The final result will depend heavily on spring lambing conditions.
“The 2025-26 season was generally positive for New Zealand sheep and beef farmers, with strong livestock prices, improved wool returns, and good feed availability across much of the country.
“Good summer and autumn pasture growth supported stock condition, while stronger farm-gate returns enabled some farmers to increase fertiliser use, reduce debt, and strengthen their financial position.
“However, conditions were more challenging in some areas, and high store livestock and input costs continued to pressure margins.”
The survey is good news for rural communities and the New Zealand economy, said Acland.
“This shows the continued strength and resilience of a sector that supports jobs and keeps spending flowing through regional New Zealand.
“Research for B+LNZ and the Meat Industry Association shows New Zealand’s red meat sector generates $48.7 billion in spending across the economy each year and supports one in every 20 jobs. The sector also generates $12.8 billion in export earnings annually, with a powerful multiplier effect that sees $133 million a day being spent across New Zealand.
“The world has an insatiable appetite for New Zealand beef, and these results show farmers are responding to strong market signals while continuing to produce high-quality red meat for discerning consumers around the globe.”
According to the survey, beef cattle numbers in the North Island increased 3.2 per cent to 2.71 million head. Taranaki‑Manawatū recorded the largest North Island increase, up six per cent, followed by East Coast, which grew by 2.9 per cent, and Northland‑Waikato‑Bay of Plenty, up 2.3 per cent.
The South Island beef cattle herd increased 3.6 per cent to 1.25 million head. Southland grew by 6.7 per cent, driven by more weaners and trading cattle on finishing farms. Marlborough‑Canterbury increased 3.6 per cent, and Otago increased 1.3 per cent.
Nationwide, breeding ewe numbers decreased by 1.9 per cent and hogget numbers decreased by 4.5 per cent. The North Island sheep flock was down by 3.0 per cent to 11.14 million head, and the South Island flock was down 1.1 per cent to 11.64 million head.
Northland‑Waikato‑Bay of Plenty had the largest regional decrease, dropping 6.3 per cent and reflecting fewer breeding ewes and hoggets. Taranaki‑Manawatū decreased 2.5 per cent, and East Coast decreased 1.6 per cent.
Marlborough‑Canterbury saw a very small drop of 0.5 per cent, as an increase in hoggets offset part of the decline in breeding ewes. Otago decreased 0.8 per cent, while Southland decreased 2.4 per cent as hogget numbers fell.
Acland says the changes reflect a longer-term structural shift in the livestock mix and land use.
“Total sheep numbers have fallen 46 per cent since 2000-01, from 42.26 million, while beef cattle were 5.6 per cent below 2000-01 levels despite increasing in each of the past three years.
“The long-term decline in sheep numbers reflects cumulative land-use change and changing farm policies, including dairy conversion, forestry and native planting, retirement of grazed land, urban development, and farmer decisions around labour, succession, and relative livestock returns.
ENDS
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Notes to editor
The B+LNZ Stock Number Survey provides an assessment of the national sheep flock and beef cattle herd between 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2026.
It summarises the results of a survey of a representative sample of New Zealand’s commercial sheep and beef farms, and is used to estimate the number of sheep and beef cattle on hand at 30 June, providing an early indication of changes in livestock numbers before Stats NZ livestock figures for 2026 are available.
The 2026 estimates are compared with final 2025 livestock numbers sourced from Stats NZ. The outlook for lambing and calving in spring 2026 is based on changes in breeding livestock numbers, livestock condition and pregnancy scanning information reported by the B+LNZ Regional Economic Service team.