EXPORT KILLING NEARLY OVER

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31991, 19 May 1969, Page 1

EXPORT KILLING NEARLY OVER

The export killing season for sheep and lambs is expected to end at freezing works in North Canterbury and Mid-Canterbury within the next two weeks. One works will close this week.

Some industry spokesmen said at the week-end that their works would close two to three weeks earlier than usual, for the late summer and autumn drought had caused farmers to quit any surplus stock earlier than usual and a higher percentage of the lamb kill had been handled before Christmas.

Mr J. T. Fogarty, assistant general manager (marketing) for the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, said that Fairfield would close on Wednesday, and May 28 was the date being discussed for the closing of Belfast. As yet no decision had been taken about the closing of Pareora. “The volume of stock coming forward has slackened,” Mr Fogarty said. Mr G. H. Steel, livestock supervisor for the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, said that the company would be endeavouring to close at Islington on May 30. Their Picton works would close at

the end of this week. But no dates had been fixed yet for the closing of the season at their Smithfield or Burnside works. Borthwicks also expect to end the export killing season at Belfast on May 30, according to the district manager for the company, Mr A. R. Watson.

The North Canterbury Sheepfarmers’ Freezing Company was also hoping to have all stock in by May 30, said Mr W. D. Douglas, although it might have to kill on one or two days after the Queen’s Birthday holiday.