Lamb Schedule On New Basis This Season

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 26

Lamb Schedule On New Basis This Season

Major changes have been made in the form of the opening South Island lamb schedule which was announced last evening.

For the first time in the South Island the schedule is quoted on a “delivered < to nearest port worts" basis, instead of “delivered to nearest works,” as in the past. A further change means that the basic schedule is now for meat only, with an additional payment being made for skin—that is, for pelt and wool. Last season, for the first time, a separate payment was made for wool, while the basic schedule was for meat and pelt. On the basis of the new schedule a prime 301 b lamb with lilb of wool is worth $3.99, less the cost of transport from farm, according to its location, to the nearest port works. At the opening of

last season the same lamb was worth $4.13; less transport to the nearest works.

Sought By Farmers * The change to “delivered to neareat port works” haa been made to meet the wishes of various sections of South Island farmers, who for years have been asking . that the South Island schedule be on the same basis as that in the North Island. The •’ new Soutb Island schedule is described as being based broadly on the North Island system of quotations. Port works in Canterbury will be Islington or Belfast, and Smithfield. Other port works in the South Island will be Burnside, Ocean Beach, Plcton. and Nelson.

Under thia system, irrespective of where lambs are killed, the transport charges to be deducted from the schedule will be calculated from the farm to the nearest port works. The schedule as quoted to nearest port works is naturally higher than it would have been had it been quoted on a nearest works basis, but as is the case in the North Island the relative returns to the farmer, taking > transport into account, depends on the location of the farm. On this basis the schedule must naturally, favour the farmer whose property is closest to a port works. In practice, where there is another works between the farm and the nearest port works, the farmer will pay the cost of the transport to the nearest works, and in addition a theoretical railage charge from that works to the port works—this will be based on 80 Woolly lambs, 85 shorn lambs, or 65 sheep to a J railway waggon. In the case of stock coming from the north the transport deduction will be made from the farm to Belfast, rather than from the farm to Kaiapoi with theoretical railage charge from Kaiapoi to Belfast, as the theoretical railage could involve minimum railage rates and the through rate to Belfast by lorry would probably be cheaper. Basic Meat Schedule The change to a basic schedule for meat, with an additional payment for wool and pelt, is believed to be a logical extension of the system adopted al farmers' request last season, when exporters based their payments for. wool on assessment of individual farmers* sheep. Under the new arrangement, it is considered that differences between Individual farmers’ stock will be even more truly reflected. The opening rates are believed to be based on anticipated realisations in the early stages of the new marketing period in the United Kingdom, when New Zealand lambs normally earn a premium, but on past experience there is soon a sharp decline in prices in Britain, so it may be assumed that likewise there could be an easing in the local schedule when sufficient lambs for early shipment have been killed. Since the beginning of August, the market for New Zealand lamb in Britain has

been gradually Arming, and up to last week there had been gains ranging from Id to Sd per pound for various weight ranges. Some of the recent strength of the market can be attributed to the dock strike. The outlook for by-products of the lamb kill are. however, not .vary bright at this stage, and these have a considerable Influence on over-all returns. The schedule contains the first rates for the new' Omega grade of lambs. These lambs, which are- being graded out Of the primes on a conformation basis, are being discounted by 1.2 c to I.oc per pound. A 301 b Omega lamb on this basis will be worth 36c less than a comparable prime lamb. Details of the opening schedule for meat only are:— Prime c per lb 201 b to 281 b .. .. 12.5 281 b to 361 b . .. 11.7 371 b to 421 b .. 10.5 431 b and over .. 9.3 Fair Average Quality 201 b to 281 b .. 11.7 291 b to 361 b 11.3 371 b and over .. .. 10.5 Omega 201 b to 281 b .. 10,9 291 b to 361 b .. 10.5 The pried for Alpha lambs Is 10c. The payments a head tor pelt and wool of woolly lambs are:— lilb wool prill, 43c; Iflb, 46c: lilb, 48c; lilb, 50c: lilb, 535; lilb, 55c; and 21b, 57c. Deductions will be made tor seedy pelts , and seedy wool.