Sheep and beef farm profit margins are expected to fall a further 30 percent, according to Beef + Lamb NZ's Season Outlook.

This lower profitability comes at a time where farmers are already struggling to rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and prepare for dry conditions ahead of El Niño, painting a grim picture in experts' eyes.

The Country's Jamie Mackay says there's further downsides to this negative forecast if China doesn't bounce back quickly enough.

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