LAMB PRICE DOWN, BEEF EASES

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33386, 19 November 1973, Page 2

LAMB PRICE DOWN, BEEF EASES

The expected reduction in the schedule of prices to farmers for lamb, because of the imposition of the first stage of the European Economic Community’s communal external tariff on imports into Britain on January 1, was announced on Friday.

Because it is expected that lambs killed from now on will not reach Britain before the tariff is imposed, prices for the meat content of all classes of lamb have been reduced 3c per kilogram, or less than l|c per lb. This reduction is less than had been expected in some quarters.

But at the same time the skin payments have been reduced another 5c a head, which is said to be a wool price adjustment. At the opening of the new lamb killing season last month a 301 b lamb with a skin carrying 0.75 kilograms of wool was worth $11.14. Now the same lamb is worth about $10.52, part of this drop being because of skin price reductions. For skins pulling between 0.45 and one kilogram of wool, prices have eased 12c to 20c a head since the opening of the season. The new prices for lamb meat, effective today, are:— Prime: 8 to 12.5 kilograms, 68.4 c per kilogram; 13 to 16kg, 66.7 c: 16.5 to 19kg, 63.1 c; 19.5 to 25.5 kg. 59.6 c. Fair average quality: 8 to 12.5 kg, 64.9 c: 13 to 16kg, 64.9 c; 16.5 to 25.5 kg, 61.2 c. Omega: 8 to 12.5 kg, 64.9 c: 13 i to 16kg. 61.2 c. i Alpha: 50.6 c. : Export cutter: No. 1 up to 12.5 kg, 58.3 c: No. 1 over 13kg, 62.7 c; No. 2 all weights, 49.5 c. Skin payments will range from 99c for a skin with a Tvool pull of 0.45 kilograms to 221 c for one with a pull of 1.4 kilograms. PRIME LISTED At the end of last week meat operators also issued the second export schedule for the new season for beef. It contained the first prices for prime beef but, because of changes in the grading system and also the conversion from pounds to kilograms, comparisons with the opening last season are difficult to make. An industry spokesman I said that prices were higher i— yet compared with openpng prices announced on Oc'tober 1, f.a.q. ox and heifer

prices are down 4c to 6c per kilogram on weights up to 220 kilograms, and down 2c to 4c on weights from 221 to 270 kilograms. The list of prices, effective today, is:— Ox and heifer beef.—Chiller, up to 220 kg, ox 74c per kg, heifer 72c; 221 to 270 kg, ox 78c, heifer, 76c; 271 to 340 kg, ox 80c, heifer 78c; over 340 kg, ox 80c, heifer 78c. G.A.Q.. up to 220 kg, ox 72c, heifer, 70c; 221 to 270 kg, ox 76c, heifer 74c; 271 to 340 kg, ox 78c, heifer 76c; over 340 kg, ox 78c, heifer 76c. F.A.Q., up to 220 kg. ox 68c, heifer 66c; 221 to 270 kg, ox 70c, heifer 68c; 271 to 340 kg. ox 70c, heifer 68c; over 340 kg, ox 70c, heifer 68c. Cow beef.—F.A.Q., up to 140 kg, 63c; over 140 kg, 68c. Trimmer grade (ox. heifer and cow). —All weights. 55c. Manufacturing grade (ox, heifer and cow). —Up to 140 kg, 63c; over 140 kg, 68c. Bull beef.—Manufacturing: Upi to 180 kg, 72c; 181 to 260 kg, 81c; | over '26okg, 84c. ,