"BOBBY" CALF TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20640, 12 August 1930, Page 5

"BOBBY" CALF TRADE.

SEASON IN FULL SWING,, LARGE INCREASE IN KILLINGS. VALUE OF THE INDUSTRY. The " bobby" calf killing season is in full swing in tho Auckland Province, although actually the busiest period has not yet arrived. The season is an early one, a considerably greater number of calves having passed through the works to date than was the case at this time last year. This is attributed to many dairy herds having been brought in earlier than usual. An average of between 5000 and 6000 calves a day is being killed at tho four freezing works now operating in the province. The number is expected to increase between now and the end of the month. The Moerewa works were opened last week under an arrangement whereby the National Dairy Association guaranteed a certain average number of calves a week during the period of killing, the length of which will depend on the extent of the support received from the farmers in the northern districts. Where the calves are bought by exporting firms the price is varied according to quality and size, the range being approximately between 4s 6d and 8s 6d. The average return per head is likely to be rather lower this year than last, owing to a decline in the value of skins. The killings last year totalled about 200,000. Although the current season to date has shown a substantial increase, it is not possible to say yet whether this will be maintained. On a conservative estimate tho " bobby " calf industry gi ves an aggregate return of between £50,000 and £60,000 to the Auckland farmers. From the community point of view it has tho further substantial advantage: of providing work for a considerable number of freezing works hands during three months of the 11 off " season for ordinary export killings.