EXPORTS MUTTON AND LAMB CARCASES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 98, 24 January 1928, Page 12

EXPORTS MUTTON AND LAMB CARCASES

YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31.

obvious, as lamb represents a considerably higher priced commodity than does matured sheep, and although the weight exported may not show a. great increase the money value does. In this instance commodity price has affected tho system of management practised. This trend in the frozen meat export trade of the ,Dominion is indicated by tho graph and by tho following statement

Dominion’s Wool Production. Figures relating to wool production

must bo used with special care. There are three sources from which data may be obtained —namely, agricultural and pastoral statistics, the Year Book, and official export figures. Tho last-mention-ed are clearly of no use unless we eave other data also, namely, wool used in

local mills, and a stocktaking of wool on hand at tho beginning and end ot each year. This is obviously difficult to secure, so the figures given in the A. and P. statistics for shorn wool for the year ended January 31 must be taken. The only other wool of vvhich rote need be taken there is “sliped” and “washed,” of which the only record we have is in official exports, anil hero an error may easily be made. It will be seen that records of sliped and washed wool exported as at December 31 each year is not constant, hut the fluctuation is not great, with the exception of 1922. Recognising the possibility of error, “sliped” and “washed” wool exported has been combined with shorn wool as at January 31 the same year, and an attempt made to sjiow the total yield. The following table gives an interesting analysis of the Dominion’s wool production from 1916-17 to 1925-26, compiled from the A. and P. statistics (sliped and washed wool as at December 31), and the export statistics: —

In considering these figures it must be remembered that the wool shown at January of any year is from the total sheep brought through the previous winter, and represented by the figures for the previous year—less deaths and killed, and plus lambs’ wooi. If studied from this angle, it will be seen that the fluctuation in total wool corresponds with the fluctuation in sheep wintered, and with tho yield per sheep. 1922 excepted This is accounted for to some extent by the abnormally high quantity of “sliped” and “washed” wool exported that year, which in its turn was to l.e expected owing to the extremely heavy killings which took place. A uniform bale of 31cwt. has been taken as standard, although it is possible that this mav be slightly above the average A second and final article will deal with the dairying industry.

Shorn wool, Jan. 30, lb. Sliped and washed wool, exp., Dec. 31, lb. 1916-17 .... 178,792,.505 18,775,181 191S .... 181.237,717 14,579,947 1919 .... 183,563,145 39,423,977 1920 .... 172,808,032 20,244,062 1921 .... 108,954,318 28,680,307 1922 .... 159.SS1.10S 5S.435.O19 1923 .... 102.738.826 27,424,141 1924 .... 165.913,024 26,241,085 1925 .... 185.030.545 24.730.042 192G .... 173,402,704 29,747,740