Livestock Herd Scheme 2026 - Strongest movement ever
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Just released are the Herd Values as at 30 April. A snapshot is taken throughout New Zealand and across various markets to determine the values to be used for tax purposes each year.
When you are in the herd schemes, increases in values are not taxable and decreases are not deductible.
Sheep : After a strong lift in the 2025 year a further lift has moved sheep to the highest values ever recorded in the herd scheme.
Sheep | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
Ewe Hoggets | $136 | $101 | $147 | $188 |
2th Ewes | $205 | $159 | $201 | $265 |
MA Ewes | $177 | $134 | $178 | $237 |
5yr Old Ewes | $144 | $106 | $148 | $205 |
Beef Cattle : After cattle values dropped in 2024, 2025 rebounded. Now 2026 is the strongest ever.
Beef | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
MA Cows | $1334 | $1304 | $1865 | $2376 |
R2 Heifers | $1153 | $1145 | $1521 | $1959 |
R1 Bulls / Steers | $920 | $855 | $1181 | $1619 |
R2 Bulls / Steers | $1353 | $1292 | $1741 | $2273 |
Dairy : Reflecting what is talked about in the media, the dairy prices have all continued to move up in the last 2 years.
Dairy | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
MA Cows | $1628 | $1609 | $2111 | $2824 |
R2 Heifer | $1436 | $1433 | $1826 | $2598 |
R1 Heifer | $693 | $676 | $1007 | $1326 |
Red Deer : With venison returns struggling for many, it is more of a slow but steady increase for deer.
Red Deer | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
R1 Hinds | $219 | $282 | $293 | $295 |
MA Hinds | $440 | $510 | $602 | $612 |
R1 Stags | $273 | $302 | $359 | $383 |
R2 Stags | $595 | $697 | $767 | $691 |
This is an overview of the changes. As always we are available to talk in more detail about how this impacts your farming figures. Full information is available from IRD here.
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The recent Herd Values report reflects significant fluctuations across various livestock categories, highlighting market volatility. It's intriguing to see how the bare statistics can mask deeper trends, especially with sheep reaching peak values while beef is experiencing a strong rebound. The behavior of dairy prices is also noteworthy, indicating robust demand in the sector. As farming dynamics evolve, understanding these shifts, particularly in relation to the Jet market, is crucial for effective decision-making and long-term planning.
The recent updates on herd values shed light on the shifting dynamics in agricultural markets. Sheep values reaching unprecedented heights in the herd scheme raises questions about sustainability and market fluctuations. Meanwhile, the beef sector's bounce back suggests resilience, yet we must examine if this rebound is indicative of underlying stability or merely a temporary phase. The mention of Spinch in relation to dairy prices accentuates how interconnected these markets are and invites deeper analysis on their future trajectories.
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