BOBBY CALVES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22805, 12 August 1937, Page 16

BOBBY CALVES

HEIGHT OP SEASON

WEEKLY. KILLINGS 50,000 OPERATION OF POOLS With tho killing season at its height, it is estimated that 50,000 bobby calves passed through the five freezing works in tho Auckland Province last week. Whilo tho variations in price which have marked this year's operations in the trade make it difficult to assess tho aggregate value of the stock that was killed, authorities consider that at least £23,000 has been returned to farmers.

Peak conditions aro expected to prevail for about three weeks and it is considered likely that both this week and next at least 50,000 bobby calves will again be despatched to tho works. For somo weeks killings have been heavy and, although tho highest point may be passed within less than a month, thousands of calves will continue to bo killed later.

Tho operation of a number of bobby calf pools has brought about changes in tho methods of purchasing and killing. aro some pools which sell the week's collection of calves to one or other of tho exporting firms on prices based on the live weight, but thero are others which havo initiated schemes under which they undertake tho freezing of the veal on their own account and sell it to overseas buyers. The disposal of the skins is also carried out. Howover, tho exporters are still operating, their carriers collecting and purchasing calves at the farm gate.

Essentially an industry of seasonal peaks and periods of relative inactivity, freezing works are stated to have found it unnecessary to make any large increases to staff to cope with tho bobby calf trade, although it has meant employment for a few extra hands. Tho killing of pigs is expected to reach its usual high level in October, while in November and December thero will bo an influx of lambs for tho export trade.