SOUTH AMERICAN MEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 221, 17 September 1924, Page 8

SOUTH AMERICAN MEAT.

... .. » . . BRAZIL ENTERS ARENA. BEEP FOR THE CONTINENT. . (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The New Zealand Meat Producers' Board has received the following letter from its South American representative: "All classes of fat cattle are dearer, with good prospects of beef being considerably higher before fat cattle are available off the spring grass. There is now less discrimination regarding weight, and heavy beasts and plainer quality beef will be shipped as chilled, though a sufficiency of plainer quality beef suitable for Continental requirements will be available. Shippers of live cattle for the Continental trade have been paying 24 cents- per kilo, live weight, for the generally heavy cattle they ship,' though 28 cents was paid for a choice lot of Aberdeen Angus steers destined for the Swiss market. "Different freezing companies in Brazil are at present slaughtering about 2500 head of cattle per day. The greater proportion of this beef is being sent to the Continental market. The use of British breeds as improving agents has been disappointing. In the warmer zones they have not given tbe results anticipated owing to ticks and insect pests that do not cause the least inconvenience to the hardy zebu, which is the only breed of cattle that will give results. In the extensive good grazing and well watered, but warm, parts of Brazil, a policy was commenced of careful selection of the best backed cows, to which were mated bulls with the best backs available, and a wonderful improvement has been brought about, giving more acceptable carcases for butchers' requirements. I have had extensive experience in Brazil, and my opinion regarding the suitability of the zebu for the; conditions there is that they will live and thrive where other breeds die; "In • the Arge utine store and breeding cattle are' slow of sale at present. Owing to a scarcity of pasture there, are less sheep available, and best quality hoggets are in good demand. Last year's kill on the South Coast was 1,450,235 sheep and lambs, while this year it is 1.-08,620, 141,615 less than last season. The results are in 'accordance with my . estimation expressed in previous letters. "'The weather has been favourable for lambing in this part of the country, and a good lamb crop can be anticipated. In conversation with Mr. F. H. Townsend, from Punta Arenas, that gentleman tells mc the season has been exceptionally favourable in that part of the. country, and the lambing is likely to be good. "Swiffs- prices to-day are as follows: Cattle: Chillers, 5.08 d per kilo, live weight; Continental, 3.68 dto 3.99 d; good canners, 2.54 d; thin canners, 1.63 d to 2.0 d, all per kilo, live weight. Sheep: Hoggets, 8.53 dto 8.71 d per lb., dead; wethers, 6d to 6.72 d; ewes, 4.9 dto 5.44 d. Exchange, 13.22 dollars to the pound Sterling. . : ',-'