Transport of Fat Stock

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 11

Transport of Fat Stock

Sir, —The time is opportune for a few remarks and suggestions, on the transport and movement of fat stock, to the freezing works. A decided loss aud wastage is caused by faulty handling, overloading rail trucks, and' droving sheep in very hot weather. The latter practice is indulged in by many people who should know better; probably they imagine they are saving on transport costs, a most uneconomic idea. It is not an uncommon sight to see a fine draft of fat ewes arrive at the works, some of them in a distressed state, and a percentage collapsed. The result is bruising and numerous rejects; a definite loss. Farmers in this case would be well advised to consider motor trans-, port, which, unless they have very few miles to go, would be the most economic. Loading lambs at night on the farm, although done extensively, is not a good practice, particularly, in the case of milk lambs. AU farmers have not.the best loading facilities/ and working in the dark often necessitates a lot of handling, and it takes very little to bruise a milk lamb. Even at the freezing works, with the best of unloading appliances, and well illuminated yards, lots of care and handling are required, much more so than during daylight hours. However, night consigning by motor transport is a matter for the individual farmer. .

The competition between rail and road transport is very acute, particularly in some North Island districts. Sheep transport by motor is developing into a smooth, efficient business, straight from the paddock to the works, without loss of time. The Railways Department, which has also developed a highly efficient service, and transports hundreds of thousands of sheep to the various works during the season, would do well to consider trying nut. where practical, special stock . trains, and less mixed trains (goods and stock). This would expedite matters, as loaded trucks are often left too long at sidings. During the peak period the Railways Department indulges in the undesirable practice of using ordinary iron coal trucks, or LA’s as they are termed (presumably owing to shortage of sheep trucks), for the transport of sheep. This should on no account be encouraged, as these trucks have no drainage, and iron floors on which sheep very easily lose their footing; one can imagine their condition when unloaded : undoubtedly damage and loss is incurred here. Individual losses seem small, but the aggregate for the whole country must be considerable. The foregoing remarks and suggestions are made in a friendly spirit, and as quality in our exports is of the utmost importance, first-grade stock should not be relegated to a lower grade through want of care. —I am, etc., FREEZER, , Hawke’s Bay.