Mel Croad
69 posts
Armed with an analytical brain, it's second nature for Mel Croad as an AgriHQ analyst to investigate, learn and understand what makes our sheep and beef markets tick. Having done that for more than 10-plus years, it brings her a lot of joy to then break down that information in a way that relates to farming decisions. I love bringing a sense of clarity to farmers, especially the busy, savvy ones who hunger for honest, independent market information, but are often too busy to wade through all that data themselves. Another highlight is being surrounded by a team of analysts who also all get how important our role is to the wider industry. Outside of the office, she can usually be found with her sleeves rolled up, working on/within our farming operation, putting all that market knowledge to good use. November 17, 2023
Look beyond tough start for lamb prices
You don’t have to go far to find a disgruntled sheep farmer, but it may help to remember that we are in the part of the pricing cycle that no one likes, Mel Croad says.
October 2, 2023
Where will store lamb prices end up?
It’s not looking like a bumper start to the season for lamb or mutton, with export prices and competition between processors softer than usual for this time of the year.
August 22, 2023
Will 2024 bring a bullish US beef market?
Herd rebuilding in the US was widely expected to tighten supply this year. Instead slaughter rates have approached record levels.
July 24, 2023
Beef supply starting to back up globally
As Brazil and Australia ship millions of tonnes of beef across the world, the ripple effects are being felt at the farmgate in NZ.
June 26, 2023
What’s going wrong for lamb right now?
With export markets still volatile and susceptible to fast-paced change, lamb’s recent good fortunes could be coming to an end.
June 12, 2023
Australia strides back onto export stage
This was always the year Australia’s herd rebuilding efforts were going to be felt on the global lamb and beef market – and are they ever.
May 15, 2023
A closer look at US beef-market burger
The United States is New Zealand’s go-to market for manufacturing beef, but to what extent have high hopes for the season been realised?
May 2, 2023
Be realistic with lamb price expectations
Prices will pick up through the early part of the season, as they usually do, but producers would be wise not to let this go to their heads as they look deeper into the year.
January 17, 2023
All the fun of the fair until markets settle
The pastures are flush and it’s just as well – slaughter prices for both lamb and beef still have some pain to endure in the weeks ahead.
November 22, 2022
Lamb prices react to global pullback
Slaughter prices for lamb are tumbling at a rate not seen before at this time of year and exporters are facing a very challenging period.