Spring Farm Stays in New Zealand: Lambing Season & New Beginnings

Spring farm stays offer experiences impossible to replicate in any other season. The primary draw is lambing season, when sheep farms across New Zealand welcome thousands of new lambs within a few short weeks. This concentrated birthing period creates extraordinary opportunities for visitors to witness and participate in one of farming's most fundamental activities. Beyond lambing, spring brings calving on dairy and beef farms, with gangly calves learning to stand and nurse. Orchards burst into blossom, creating stunning visual displays particularly in Nelson, Hawke's Bay, and Central Otago. Native birds become active, with tui, bellbirds, and fantails more visible and vocal. The land itself awakens from winter dormancy, with pastures greening rapidly and wildflowers appearing in unexpected places. The energy on farms during spring is palpable. Farmers work long hours during lambing, often checking ewes through the night, yet there's an optimism that pervades spring work. Each healthy lamb represents the year's income, and the arrival of new life after winter's quiet creates genuine celebration.

**September: Early Spring** September marks the transition from winter to spring, with weather still variable but improving. Lambing begins on warmer North Island farms and lowland properties, while higher and southern farms prepare for the busy weeks ahead. Expect: Cool mornings (5-10°C), warming afternoons (12-16°C), frequent rain showers, occasional frosts in southern regions. **October: Peak Lambing** October is the heart of lambing season across most of New Zealand. Farms are at their busiest and most exciting, with lambs appearing by the hundreds on larger properties. School holidays (two weeks mid-October) bring family bookings. Expect: Milder temperatures (8-15°C overnight, 14-18°C daytime), longer daylight hours, mixed weather with some settled periods. **November: Late Spring** November offers the best of spring with improving weather and continued lambing activity on southern and high country farms. Early-born lambs are now bouncing energetically. Expect: Pleasant temperatures (10-20°C), longer settled periods, occasional rain, extended evening light.

**Bottle-Feeding Orphan Lambs** The most popular lambing activity involves feeding "poddy" lambs - orphans whose mothers died during birth or rejected them. Farms typically accumulate several poddy lambs each season, hand-rearing them with bottle milk replacer. The feeding process is straightforward enough for children to participate. **Witnessing Birth** Some farms allow guests to observe lamb births, though this requires both farmer willingness and appropriate timing. Ewes typically birth unassisted, so witnessing the process means being present in paddocks during active lambing. **Assisting with Lamb Work** Beyond feeding, guests on working farms may help with lamb marking (ear tagging and tail docking), moving ewes and lambs between paddocks, or identifying lambs that need attention. **What to Know** Lambing involves some difficult realities. Not all lambs survive, and guests may encounter stillbirths or struggling animals. Discussing expectations before arrival helps ensure everyone is prepared.

**Canterbury: High Country Lambing** Canterbury's high country sheep stations offer spectacular spring experiences. Lambing occurs against backdrops of snow-capped Southern Alps, with Merino and Romney sheep producing thousands of lambs across vast tussock landscapes. **Waikato: Dairy Farm Calving** New Zealand's dairy heartland centers on Waikato, where spring brings calving season to hundreds of farms. Calves are typically separated from mothers and hand-reared, creating opportunities for visitors to participate in calf feeding. **Hawke's Bay: Orchards and Lambs** Hawke's Bay combines sheep farming with orchards and vineyards. Apple and stonefruit orchards burst into blossom through September and October, while surrounding sheep farms lamb. **Otago: Southern Spring** Central Otago and Southland lamb later than northern regions, with peak activity in October and November. The dramatic landscapes suit visitors who can't travel until late spring.

**Typical Spring Pricing** Expect to pay 10-20% above winter rates but 20-30% below peak summer prices. A mid-range farm stay costing $350/night in summer might run $280-300 in spring. Budget options start around $120-150/night. **Factors Affecting Prices** Peak lambing weeks (late September through mid-October) command higher prices at sheep-focused properties. School holidays (mid-October) create brief price spikes. **Booking Strategy** Book 2-3 months ahead for peak lambing weeks at popular properties. Early September and late November offer best value with fewer crowds.