DUNEDIN BEEF SUPPLY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 33, 18 November 1943, Page 5

DUNEDIN BEEF SUPPLY

BURNSIDE DEADLOCK CONTINUES. FEWEST CATTLE ON RECORD. (P.A.) . DUNEDIN, November 17.. The deadlock in the fat cattle trade continued to-day at the Burnside market, where the entry of cattle was the lowest on record. The reaction of graziers and fatteners to the group purchasing scheme of the butchers was to leave the cattle at home. As a result there is likely to be an acute shortage of beef in the shops next week. The sale proceeded on the same lines as last week’s, with two buyers operating for the trade. The number offered under the hammer was about 40 or 50 head. The balance of the yarding of 100 was entered by a grazier, who disposed of the cattle at a rate of 54s per 1001 b for prime ox beef, with poorer grades at correspondingly lower values. It has been reported that some members of the trade have been buying privately outside of Burnside. The opinion was expressed at the sale that if butchers and graziers could come together, business could be done at about 54s per 1001 b for prime ox beef. In the meantime, however, the ceiling price is 48s per 1001 b, and on December 1 it will fall to 445. Turnip cattle are practically finished, and after another sale should he disposed of. Because of the backward season, which is about six weeks later than usual, there will be a dearth of grass cattle for the market. It is expected that oven if a solution to the price problem -is found, there will be very little beef on tbe market.