SMITHFIELD MARKET

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33254, 18 June 1973, Page 19

SMITHFIELD MARKET

Lamb firm but beef easier Continuing warm weather has produced favourable trading conditions for New Zealand lamb on the Smithfield market, the Meat Board reports. This resulted in a better offtake rate, at firming values. Grade 2 is now making a premium over other grades, and the recent unbalanced position on YL’s is adjusting —producing a firming tendency for this grade. Price Var’n c c per lb per lb Prime.— 281 b and under 42.6-44.5 + 0.30 29 to 361 b .. 43.0-44.1 +0.50 37 to 421 b .. 43.1-44.1 +1.30 Y.— 281 b and under 39.7-41.6 +0.30 New Zealand cartoned lamb cuts were traded under mixed conditions. There was a good inquiry for legs, but a poor demand for long loins and a steady trade for fores. Legs .. 71.6-73.6 +1.45 Long loins .. 50.3-52.3 -2.50 Short fores .. 33.8-35.8 - 0.25 There were no pitchings of New Zealand mutton on Smithfield. Most quantities of New Zealand boneless beef were traded with some difficulty in clearing pitchings. The beef sector is still causing traders concern, because of continued consumer disinterest and, although values are currently steady, present poor throughput may well lead to “an indescribably low price structure” at a later date, the Board says. Topsides .. 73.6-75.5 -5.20 Silversides .. 73.6-75.5 —3.30 Thick flanks .. 69.7-71.6 -3.40 Rumps .. .. 92.0-93.9 -0.80 Chucks . .. 54.2-56.1 -3.50 Conversion of U.K. pence to N.Z. cents was made at the rate quoted by the Reserve Bank on Wednesday, of $1.9371 equals £l.OO. Canadian agent Thomas Nationwide Transport. Ltd (T.N.T.), has become the Australian and New Zealand agent for Canadian National, one of the largest railways in North America. Canadian National, with 36,000 miles of track, its truck fleets, containers, and rail transportation facilities, has with this move extended its services to shippers throughout Australia and New Zealand. It can handle both conventional and container cargoes. Canadian National serves all Canadian provinces and provides transportation to and from the heartland of the United’ States, with lines reaching: into most states.