BUTCHERS FEAR SHORTAGE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28540, 20 March 1958, Page 10

BUTCHERS FEAR SHORTAGE

Beef Supplies For Domestic Market

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN. March 19.

The Meat Retailers’ Federation is apprehensive of a serious depletion of beef herds, possibly as early ps next year Members claim they are concerned by the upward trend of wholesale livestock prices and by the increased slaughtering of store cattle and beef breeding cows for export. A “silly” situation had arisen, it was reported to the annual conference of the federation in Dunedin today. Unfinished stock was fetching higher prices than fat cattle, and breeding cows were being killed to take advantage of the better values. Delegates said that this summer, when values normally eased, there had been no drop, and prices equal to, or even higher than, those of last winter were now being paid. They attributed this situation to exports to America and the Far East, for the inferior cattle would not appeal on the domestic market. Control was not advocated, but delegates considered" future supplies were at stake. The price structure had been “wrecked.” The federation resolved to keep the matter under constant review, and, if necessary, take action.