Sally Rae

Continued strong New Zealand beef pricing is largely due to significant lifts in the volume and value of exports to China and the United States during the third quarter, Rabobank animal proteins analyst Blake Holgate says.

A South Otago farmer estimates he has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because of the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak.

Confirmation that four new properties have tested positive for Mycoplasma bovis - including three in Southland - is "not good news".

Silver Fern Farms is forecast to spend more than $230 million on livestock this month as high volumes caused by dry conditions and high prices make their mark.