BIG FALL IN STOCK KILLINGS AT WAIROA FREEZING WORKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22887, 5 March 1949, Page 8

BIG FALL IN STOCK KILLINGS AT WAIROA FREEZING WORKS

(SR.) WAIROA, Mar. 3. A marked fall in killings for the Wairoa freezing works has been disclosed by the latest statistics. Sheep carcases show a decrease of 24 per cent, lambs by four per cent, and beef killings are also below average, although the actual figures are not yet available. The reason for the fall in killings, it is stated, has been due to the unusual flush of grass soon after the New Year. This meant that store stock changed hands to farmers in Hawke’s Bay and other fattening areas soon than was the case in normal years, and with a firmer and higher market for store stock, particularly sheep, more animals left this district.

It is considered unlikely that the drop in output will be made up during the balance of the season, although the marked fluctuations in prices for wool, coupled with the steady increase in meat prices, are liable to have some effect.

The forecasts by primary producers’ organisations are in marked contrast to the recent statements of the Minister of Agriculture. Mr. E L. Cullen, who predicted that meat and other primary production would show an increase this year.