Income Might Fall £10m

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31195, 20 October 1966, Page 3

Income Might Fall £10m

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 19. “Income loss to farmers for their lambs alone could amount to at least £lO million for the new season,” said the chairman of the Dominion Meat and Wool Council of Federated Farmers, Mr F. G. Spackman, today.

“The opening lamb schedule for the new season represents approximately 10s a lamb less than the opening schedule last season,” said Mr Spackman.

“If these prices continue it will mean loss in income to growers of at least £lO million —a loss which will have considerable repercussions throughout the whole economy. Farmers will have just that much less to spend and business of all kinds will feel the repercussions.

“A feature of the situation which must be emphasised is that the loss in income will have considerable repercussions on the production drive. Farmers will be discouraged from taking on new development programmes or will be forced to cut back existing programmes.

“It is to be hoped that a more optimistic attitude among freezing companies will prevail in the near future.

“The only good feature about this year’s schedule for lambs is that for the first time, freezing companies are paying out separately for wool.

This is much more equitable and is something that my council has pressed for for a number of years,” said Mr Spackman. “Sheepfarmers, although disappointed in the opening schedule, are very pleased that the lamb diversification programme has got under way for the current season. An able committee has been appointed to administer the scheme and farmers will be watching the work of the committee with the closest attention.”