CHILLED BEEF EXPORTS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27407, 21 July 1954, Page 10

CHILLED BEEF EXPORTS

REPORT ON TRIAL SHIPMENTS “ MOST ENCOURAGING RESULTS” (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 20. New Zealand’s chilled beef business had emerged from the trial shipment stage with results that were, most encouraging, said the quarterly report issued today by the Meat and Wool Boards' economic services. “We can produce the quality, ’ the report said. “All we want now is recognition of its worth in the United Kingdom-—in the form of worth-while premium prices.” , * Describing the North Island beef position as interesting, the report said that last year 314,000 quarters of ox and heifer beef were slaughtered, but no chilled or baby beef. This year the total was 316,000 quarters of ox and heifer beef, and 46,000 quarters of chilled and 48,000 quarters of baby beef. Store cattle prices were easy up till the beginning of May, but the market was now showing a rising tendency, said the report. Killings of stock for export were much on a par with those of last year in terms of weight—l9s2-53 killings for the North Island totalled 178,000 tons, and 195354, 170,000 tons. This year 500,000 more lambs were killed, but fewer wethers and ewes. The average lamb weights were down by about 1.51 b a head. South Island Lamb Killings In the South Island the lamb kill exceeded that of the North Island by 700,000 and was up on last year’s figures by about 600,000 carcases. The South Island lamb weights showed an average increase of 2.51 b a head—-from 33.41 b to 35.91 b. , ~ Cattle remained an inconsiderable part of the South Island kill, but 657 quarters of chilled beef were exported, together with 1843 quarters of baby beef. "This may mark the beginning of what may—and should —in time develop into a worth-while industry,” the report said. “From reports to hand it would seem that throughout the Dominion stock are in good order—much better than had been hoped when our last report was compiled in early April,’’ the report added. "Lambing will soon be under way in the North Island and the next few weeks will be critical for breeding ewes in both islands. Close attention and good shepherding of the ewe flock, together with judicious rationing of whatever feed is available, will be necessary to avoid the lambing troubles, dopiness, and mild fever which are so often encountered after a winter of relative feed shortage.”