BEEF DEARER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 26 September 1938, Page 11

BEEF DEARER.

SHORTAGE OF CATTLE. i ——— MUTTON PRICES FALL. The price of beef, which is higher now than for many yeara, has been worrying everyone who has had to pay it, especially housewives and butchers. Heavy export and unfavourable condition* for raising fat stock have resulted ia an acute shortage of beef cattle, and prices have gone up about 23 per cent on the Westfield market in the past two months. Butchers say they have not had to pay such prices since the end of the Great War. Retail ratee were raised last month, but since then there Las been a further advance on the fat etock market and butchers claim that they are losing heavily on beef. Calves and pigs have also been exceptionally dear, but the good supply of fat sheep at reasonably low prices has, according to one city retailer of meat, "saved their bacon." Prime wethers, which would have brought 50/ a head a year ago, are now selling for about 35/, and the best of the ewe* offering at the sales are now worth up to 25/, against 40/ last year. In contrast, beef prices on the Westfteld market have risen over the year from 41/ to 44/ per 1001b for extra choice ox. The good supply of sheep is due to the poor lambing season. Large numbers ol ew*i hate proved to be barren, and farmers have sent them in to the market. Thus while all other classes of fat stock have been scarce there has been a plentiful supply of prime and good quality sheep, and price*, have fallen. Flocks are already depleted, however, and with fewer lambs to build them up again and large numbers of ewes now being killed for mutton, a shortage is expected later. The full effect will probably be felt next winter.