Ferry rates aid breeders

Press, 26 August 1982, Page 2

Ferry rates aid breeders

Cheap rates in the Cook ■Strait ferries for transporting livestock to the North Island had helped competition at cattle sales in the South Island, according to North Canterbury Federated Farmers. Many South Island, cattle breeders were grateful for the extra competition provided by North Island buyers made possible by the cheap rates, Mr R. W. Davison, of Culverden, told a meeting of the federation’s provincial executive yesterday. He was replying to a statement by the member of Parliament for Papanui, Mr

M. K. Moore, that thousands of South Island livestock were sent to North Island freezing works for slaughter because of the cheap ferry “Any cattle shifted - and there were not many this year — were mostly of the store and weaner types,” said Mr Davison. The main reasons for the shifting of stock to the North Island were the drought and lack of feed, and the lower profitability of beef farming in the South Island. If Mr Moore wanted to help farming in Canterbury he should look at the costs of

; killing- cattle, which had risen 108 per cent in four I years — from $68.30 for a • 260 kg beast in 1978 to $142 ■ in 1982, said Mr Davison. I Mr F. A. Bull, of Sheffield. ; said that Mr Moore had told : only half, the truth in saying I that thousands of livestock were being sent to North. - Island freezing works bei cause of the cheap rates in I the ferries, The reduced rate had al- ; lowed a lot of calves to be sent to the North Island, > helping farmers in the South ’ Island who were experienc- ’ ing a drought.