THE EXPORT OF MEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 10 December 1924, Page 10

THE EXPORT OF MEAT.

GOOD OUTLOOK FOR SEASON.

STOCK IN FINE CONDITION

BETTER PRICES ALL ROUND.

BEEF VALUES AND PASTURES.

The frozen meat industry in the Auckland province has opened most auspiciously. Livestock are being delivered to the freezing works in first-class condition owing to the favourable season, and prices for lamb and mutton have never been better. Even be§f, which has been a drug on the market for years, opens the season in a stronger position. Graziers thus share in the prosperity in which dairy farmers and wool growers are already rejoicing. Prospects are for an " annus mirabilis " for the primary producers.

Threo of the four provincial works are now open for the reception of fat stock. Westfield and Southdown are handling average numbers for the time of year, and Moerewa, near the Bay of Islands, opened on Monday with fair bookings to the end of the month. As usual, North Auckland's contribution is nearly all lamb, although a few hundred cattle aro offering in bookings to date. The other provincial works, at Horotiu, near Hamilton, will be opened for export killing if the Southdown works cannot handle all the stock from South Auckland.

Record Prices for Lamb. Lamb forms the bulk of the frozen meat export from Auckland. The position in this respect is a very happy 0110 as the price offering is easily a record. The current quotation is lid per lb., which is ljd, or 16 per cent, better than the previous best. The high price of wool is, of course, a factor in giving this high price for lamb. It is expected the number of carcases exported will show an increase over last season, although the difference will not be great. The same applies to mutton, although its contribution to the total volume of export is small. Prices are high, however, and farmers with fat sheep can look for a good return.

Of great significance to Auckland farmers is the improvement in the prices of beef. It is not expectcd this factor will be immediately responsible for a great increase in beef for export, as store cattle have become scarce during the years of depression. But it should result in farmers keeping more calves, especially males, than has been the case in the past. Meat exporters are not yet fully persuaded of the future of the beef export market The increased demand from the Continent, if it is maintained, will, of course, contribute to a more favourable turn of events. The chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, Mr. David Jones, is confident that such will be the case. There is also the fact that Argentine and Australian producers have been breeding less for beef, and turning their attention more to dairying. In fact, a long experience of low, almost unprofitable prices, has discouraged the cattle grazier everywhere.

Beef Improves Its Position. .Moreover, there is the undoubted improvement in beef prices both overseas and in New Zealand. An Auckland exporter says beef to-day is worth 27s to 30s per 1001b., against 19s to 20s a year ago. This represents an increase of at least 33i percent, in prices, or, in other words, fat cattle are selling at about £3 a head better than last year. If stores and fattening cattle again become profitable propositions for Auckid farmer, beneficial results are bound to follow outside the immediate financial return. It will mean an improvement of the pastures on maijy classes of country. The partial denudation of the land of beef cattle has brought the problems of the recrudescence of fern and scrub prominently before the farmer in several districts. Cattle are essentia] to break down the fern and clean up the rough country. Better prices for beef will enable sheepfarmers and others to run a few head of store cattle to the benefit and maintenance of their pastures. An immediate difficulty will be to supply the demand for steers. In the last three years the total number of cattle has greatly increased in New Zealand, and in the Auckland Province. But despite this general advance steers of two years and upwards have fallen heavily in numbers. A great many calves are killed at birth every year and the depressed beef market overseas has prompted farmers to make almost a clean sweep of the males. Selected females are kept to add to dairy herds as is shown by the steady increase under this head.

The Statistical Position. The following table shows in striking fashion the process that has been going on, the figures being for January 31 of each year, while those under the heading steers relate to animals of two years and upwards :—■,

. NEW ZEALAND. Total At January 31— Steers. Cattle. 1921 .. v. ... 532.5G5 • 8,139.223 1923 .. v. .. 503.303 3.44(5.276 1921 .. .. .. 433,575 3,530,229 AUCKLAND " PROVINCE. 1921 .. .. ... 174,188 1.050,355 1923 .. .. .. G0.200 1.134,099 1924 131,002 1,155,372

The table shows that in three years the total number of cattle in New Zealand has increased by about 400,000, or 13 per cent., while steers have decreased by about 100,000, or 20 per cent. For the Auckland Province the increase in the total is 105,000, or 10 per cent., and the decrease in the steer class is 40,000, or 24 per cent. It should also be noted that the rate of decrease of steers in the last year quoted is much greater than that* for the' two previous years. If higher prices for beef correct this extreme tendency, a check should bo given to the process, marked in several districts, of pastures going back to scrub and fern.