FAT LAMB GRADING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 9 June 1939, Page 5

FAT LAMB GRADING.

SYSTEM DEFENDED. BOARD CHAIRMAN’S VIEWS. r Llie grading in operation in connection "*'th the export of f.ut lambs was vigorously de fen i led by Air 'I. A. Duncan, cliairriian ol the New Zealand .Meat -Board, when addressing the annual conleience oi Hheep-iarjiurs at Massey Colb'ge lusvt night. He stated that the present tsystem was framed with the endeavour to obtain the highest net return to the farmer. In the course of a very lengthy discus* feion, in which the adoption of «'i supergrade for lamb was urged, the Meat Board s policy of grading was subjected to considerable criticism. The opinion was expressed by several farmers present that the present system did not provide the consumer with the type that was desired, and that it favoured the practice of adding excess fat for the purpose of adding weight. Air Duncan said that the present system was adopted after a very thorough investigation and that the various grades, which were well established, were giving the retail trade in Great Britain complete satisfaction. The careful grading of the carcases and the insistence on a high standard of quality had helped Now Zealand mutton and lamb to the foremost position in the consuming markets. A super-grade had been tried by many freezing works, but it had not been universally adopted on account of the small premium of per lb that the trade in England was prepared to pay above the price for the usual first grades. In the board's opinion this premium, said Air Duncan, was not sufficiently large on Iho small percentage of super-grade lambs to warrant an alteration in the present grading methods. The Meat Board was fully alive to the fact that there was room for a considerable improvement in the general quality of many of the lambs shipped, but considered that this could be best achieved by better breeding and feeding. Mr Duncan he was opposed to any system of subsidies, and considered that the industry should bo content to stand on its own feet.