MEAT TRADE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 August 1924, Page 3

MEAT TRADE.

CONDITIONS IN THE ARGENTINE. The South American representative of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board in his last monthly letter gives the following interesting information regarding the general conditions as applying to live stock in the Argentine. i proceeded to Monte Video and had two hours’ interesting conversation with Air. J. S. Jessep as the boat made for the open sea. I was very glad of the opportunity to exchange views with that- gentleman, which 1 trust will be beneficial for the interests of the board. 1 mentioned that there is interest here for New Zealand type of Lincoln rams, though only of the very best class, and if any member of the board desired to ship sheep here to send them to Messrs. Gibson Bros., to whom J. spoke regarding the matter on my return from Monte Video, and requested them to write you, which I expect they will do. The main conditions are quality in wool, good covered ram heads, good backs and necks, and as much bone as possible, though I am aware it is difficult to get bone with fineness in wool. Lambs, or two or four-tooth sheep should be sent, but not older, and would meet a good market here at present. It is advisable to send only a small lot of, say, twelve or twenty sheep —not more—and as big and good as can be got, as buyers here will pay high prices for quality, but are not interested in ordinary animals. Mossrji. Gibson Bros, are welDknown as importers and breeders of New Zealand type of Lincolns, and have for many years received a small lot from the New Zealand and Australian Land Company’s flock at Mocraki, which have generally sold well. Fat Cattle. —Since writing you last month there is a better enquiry, ami best quality chillers are likely" to be scarce in the near future, as this is the beginning of winter here, and sharp frosts have already been experienced which will soon cause the recent fresh green growth of pasture to disappear. Chillers are therefore likely to be considerably dearer here in August, though, of course, much depends on the weather. it is wonderful the little provision made here to keep the flesh on cattle or fatten them during winter in the great open plains with no shelter during the cold months. The value of Continental quality will share in the higher prices, as more of the good heavy cattle will he chilled and sent to Smithfield instead of the Continent as at present. The companies here have been very particular lately regarding weight, and all cattle in mobs over 8001 b dressed had tp be specified and reported on apart, and purchased at .a less price than 7401 b cattle. . Plainer quality stuff and cows are also likely to be dearer as the winter advances. Store and breeding cattle have so far maintained their price, though they are likely to experience lass enquiry in the near' future.

&heep.—®iere has been less fat sheep sent to the local works, thomdi the South Coast killing will be reaching the Smithfield market and will supplant- the less mutton sent from this part of the country. The exact numbers killed on the South Coast are s.o far not available, though I calculate 1,250.000 head to be sent from the Chilian and Argentine plants in the South. Lambing has begun in some of the early districts, ami "a o- o od lambing can be expected. Swifts’ prices to-day are as followsChillers -!.71 d per kilo, live weight’ Continental. »!.62d to 3.98 d ; oond cows, 2.54rl to 3.08 d ; hulls, 9 - calves, 3.62(1. all per kilo live weirdo’ Sheep—Hoggets R.33d to 0.70 d po 'r ))] dead; wethers, 5.79 dto 6.3-kl; ewes, ■l.dd to 0.25(1. Exchange $13.25 to the pound sterling.