SHAPE OF LAMBS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 8

SHAPE OF LAMBS

U.K. Buyers’ Requirements

United Kingdom buyers of New Zealand lamb were very “shape conscious,” the chief supervising grader and inspector for New Zealand, of the Meat Board (Mr E. Greville), told a group of farmers at a field day held yesterday at the North Canterbury Sheeptarmers’ Co-opera-tive Freezing Company, Ltd., Kaiapoi. Mr Greville was making a routine call to the works, which coincided with the judging on the hooks of the fat lambs from the Rangiora show.

“Leggy, weak ioined carcases are becoming more difficult to sell as many buyers are becoming shape conscious, They all require and expect, a lightly fat covered, fleshy carcase,” Mr Greville said. In New Zealand an idea appeared to be circulating on the emphasis on lean meat “They think the lamb that is wanted on the United Kingdom market is long and thin.” However, overseas buyers did not want the “greyhound” type of lamb. The carcase which is wanted by the United Kingdom had a U shaped leg and full loin with an even spread of fat, which was not excessive.

Some breeds of sheep did lend themselves to the shape which was sought by the buyers, Mr Greville said. "The shape and the requisite amount of fat covering are more essential than ever.” He pointed out that in the United Kingdom, the 321 b lamb had to “please and satisfy" from 15 to 20 customers. “That is why it is so desirable that farmers grow lambs the shape which is desired,” he said.