LAMB-KILLING IN SOUTHLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 185, 19 May 1938, Page 8

LAMB-KILLING IN SOUTHLAND.

NEARLY 1,000,000 HANDLED. The extraordinarily dry summer experienced in Southland has resulted in a phenomenally early fattening of lambs and the freezing works of the province have experienced the busiest period on record. The number killed for export to the end of March shows an increase of more than 200,000 compared with the same period of last season. The total killed is within a. few thousands of 1,000,000 lambs and sheep and amounts to live-sixths of last season’s total. It is expected that the total killings for the season will be considerably greater than they were last year, but it is extremely unlikely that the present increase will be maintained. At the Makarewa and Mataura works of the Southland Frozen Meat Company the total killings to the end of March was 609,500 compared with 442,000 to the same date last year, an increase of 167,000. These figures together with the Ocean Beach returns bring the total killings for the province very close to 1,000,000. The lambs have been lighter than usual because of the dry season, but it is not expected that the deficiency in weight xvill be more than 21b a head. Lambs which would normally come to the works off feed have been fattened on the ewes because of the comparative failure of lamb feed. Supplies are lessening fairly rapidly and the end of the season should bo easier and come earlier than usual.

In view of the exceptional conditions prevailing this season, it is very fortunate that freezing companies made provision during the last off-season for increased killing and freezing capacity. As a. result of this work, the capacity of the combined works was increased by about 3000 head a day and it was found to bo very necessary during the last three months. The position would have become very serious had not this provision been made and big numbers of lambs would have had to he railed tp Otago and Canterbury for killing. Up to 6000 lambs a day Avere slaughtered at Makarewa during the busiest period and this constitutes a record for the province. During the past week the figures for this works have been re-r duced to about 5000 and consequently greater numbers of fat sheep can be handled.

At the height of the season pressure on freezing space became very serious and reduced killings Avere threatened until arrangements could be made to have a refrigerated export steamer diverted to Bluff to carry surplus Since then several vessels have loaded meat at Bluff and the pressure on freezing space has been relieved.