CHRISTMAS LAMB TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21934, 18 October 1934, Page 12

CHRISTMAS LAMB TRADE

BTJIYING SEASON BEGINS SMALL LOTS AVAILABLE VARIATION IN PRICES PAID Buying for the Christmas lamb trade on the English market has now commenced, although at present there are few signs of the activity that marks the height of the killing and exporting season. The Waikato and Auckland districts are being canvassed by exporters who are dealing with the farmers in the paddocks, but killing is not yet in full swing. The earlier spring lamb* are now sufficiently far forward to attract buyers, and it "is this first draft that is going to the works. It was stated yesterday that small drafts of from 50 to 100 are the general rule, few graziers being able to oiler more than this number. A certain amount of secrecy prevails as to the prices being paid, the highest quoted being about Sid per lb. on the hooks. Others estimate little more than Sd, but at the same time it is hinted that some farmers have been fortunate enough to get fancy prices, running up to as high as 9d. No schedule has been announced from headquarters in Wellington and purchases are the result of individual bargaining. With prices at Sid for first-grade lambs, farmers would be getting approximately the same as they were a year ago at the beginning of the export season. Payments of as high as 9d were quoted in certain districts at this time last year, but the first actual schedule operated at Sd per lb. for 361b. lambs. In 1932 the opening rate was 6Jd. and in the previous year 4d. Six vessels are due to leave Auckland in time to _reach London before Christmas. The first of these is the Remuera, sailing on October 24, followed by the Tamaroa, which leaves Auckland on October 29, with Napier as its final port. Another direct boat, the Hertford, sails on November 2, while the Port Dunedin, leaving Auckland on November 1. clears Wellington on November S. Two other boats which reach London in good time for Christmas are the Rangitiki and the Trojan Star, which sail from their final ports, Napier and Auckland respectively, on November 16. Meanwhile, spring lambs are selling well in, the fat stock market, running: to as high as 27s for forward sorts, a price which still places the product among the luxury £oods.