MUTTON AND LAMB

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2306, 26 November 1925, Page 9

MUTTON AND LAMB

HAWKE’S BAY PRICES. 9d. FOR LAMB. The Hawke’s Bay freezing- companies are ready to begin operations tor the season, if they have not already done so, and the prices fixed are 9d per lb for lamb and Bid per lb for mutton. This represents a big drop! on last season’s prices. Last year the opening price for lamb was lOd per lb., but an impression prevailed among some exporters that lamb would be in extraordinary demand, and the result was that the price locally advanced to 12d and 13d. These prices were never warranted by the actual conditions of the trade, and of course the losses were heavy. Mutton prices last season were 8d per lb, the price now is Bid per lb a big difference which the sheepfarmers are likely to realise but not appreciate. However they enjoyed a good se'ason and high prices last year and cannot very well complaint at the change that has come over the situation. It is to be hoped that dairy produce values will be maintained, for with wool, mutton and lamb substantially lower than in the past season, we will need compensation. But butter values are in danger because of the upset caused <by the shipping strike, and the position will require to be handled with great care if heavy losses on butter are to be avoided. .PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALAND. The English Chamber of Commerce Journal makes some interesting comments regarding New Zealand mutton and lamb. In the case of mutton and lamb the Empire is more nearly self-sufficient than in that of any other class of meat'; but during the past five years South American supplies have been Increasing w-hereas imports from Australia and New Zealand have shown a tendency to decline. This is due to the fact that the price of wool has been sufficiently high to cause farmers in Australia and New Zealand to increase their flocks at the expense of moat exports. New Zealand produces the finest qualities of lamb, and undoubtedly satisfies all the requirements of the British market from this standpoint. A feature of the New Zealand meat trade is the regularity and continuity of supply. This has been rendered possible by the organisation of the producers under the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board.” The article continues that in tho opinion of the Imperial Economic Committee the prospects of any material increase In the supplies of imported mutton and lamb in the future depend on the possibilities of greater supplies from Australia and Africa. “It is very doubtful whether New Zealand is in a position greatly to increase her trade,” states tho journal. "The possibilities of greater supplies from Australia must depend upon the relative profits of meat production and wool production. There are indications that certain areas in Australia are being utilised in greater degree for dual purposa crossbred sheep. If this proves remunerative Australia will, without doubt, provide more of the class of mutton and lamb required in the United Kingdom market. Every effort should therefore be made to achieve uniformity of carcases, so that purchasers may be as ready to buy parcels of Australian lamb and mutton merely on grade, as they are now ready to buy the New Zealand product In the case of New Zealand they have the certainty that each carcass in the parcel wall vary only slightly from the average of the grade weight.” ________