Southdown President On Lamb Grades

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30592, 7 November 1964, Page 9

Southdown President On Lamb Grades

TT was pleasing to note that A the Meat Board had appointed an investigating committee which would undertake a comprehensive review of New Zealand meat grades in relation to market requirements, the president, Mr T. E. M. Brooks, told the annual meeting of the Southdown Sheep Society of New Zealand last week. Mr Brooks said that, as had been mentioned in the report of a year ago, to avoid overfatness in lambs it was essential that the Southdown cross should be drafted at the correct time. Evidence had been produced to show that one reason for a number of overfat lambs was the present grading system. With this in mind representations had been made to the Meat Board to have the limit on the premium grade lifted from 281 b to 321 b. It was believed that this would be the most realistic weight range for both export and local trade. Local butchers had indicated that they desired ot get lambs over 291 b. From the butcher’s point of view he obtained a carcase at a lower rate per lb, but an equally desirable carcase with comparable good realisations. Farmers would draft more [regularly without being enticed by premiums to draft at very low weights. The more

lambs were handled or disturbed when young the poorer would be the ultimate carcase. With the change suggested a flock of ewes and lambs would be drafted on fewer occasions when the lambs were very young and consequently there would be less mismothering and less nervous upset to the lambs. No lamb need be left long enough to become over-fat. Over-fatness appeared mainly in carcases heavier than 341 b and this was confirmed by an examination of the killing sheets. There would be more uniformity in carcase weight and quality—the very things that had been stressed by the board. This would be achieved by a reduction in the range of carcase weight and quality in any one kill. All prize winners in district fat lamb competitions in recent years had been between 301 b and 321 b. Reports indicated that the American market preferred a heavier lamb. The proposed change would no doubt be an advantage in supplying this market. It was probable that ultimately the weight grading, and hence the price, might be designed in such a way that the rate per lb of carcase weight would vary with each lb change in weight.

By differentiating at 3.21 b regular kills would be made until Christmas. The ewes could then be shorn and slaughtered at a lighter weight with less fat. The farmer could then buy hill. country lambs, such as Rom-[ neys, to be finished off. This would give a better article, more lamb production and assist the economics of hill country farming. By better article, Mr Brooks said that they were referring to the Down lamb, the old ewe and the white-face hill lamb. If these proposals were, not immediately practicable or acceptable, it was suggested that the board should arrange for three or four trial shipments, each of say 5000 carcases. These could be sent to Smithfield or to some other suitable market to obtain trade opinion. To enable valid comparisons to be made it was suggested that there should be three groups within each trial shipment, including lambs up to 281 b, lambs between 29 and 321 b. and finally lambs up to 321 b. With higher lamb weights there would be a higher wool pull and a better return for offal, added Mr Brooks. The council of the society felt that if this alteration could be made the whole position relating to lamb exports would right itself immediately.