THE PASTORAL INDUSTRIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20472, 28 July 1928, Page 25

THE PASTORAL INDUSTRIES.

MEAT EXPORTS FOR LAST YEAR. PAST SEASON IN REVIEW. MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD'S RERORT. An interesting survey of _ the past season in New Zealand as it affects the pastoral industries and the export ot frozen meat is included in the annual report of the New Zealand Meat 1 reducers’ Board. It reads as follows:It is very pleasing indeed to review such a season ns this, having in view the substantial advances in the values obtained for our meat, and not only lias there been an increase in the prices obtained, but when the season finally closes, our export figures for moat will show a considerable advance over recent years and may constitute a record in the weight of frozen meat treated for export. ■ Up to Juno 30 this year we have already killed 475,295 lambs more than up to the same date in the previous year. It is also interesting to note from the above figures the marked increase m beet and pork, and the decrease in wethers. _ Not only has there been an increase in the prices obtained for our meat, but there has also been a substantial advance in the values received for our wool, hides and pelts. The export of wool from this Dominion for the 12 months ended March 31 1928, amounted to 723,717 bales, valued at £16,091,385, as compared with 628,355 bales, valued at £11,915,781, for the previous 12 months. This represents an increase of 95,362 bales, and an increase in value of no less than £4,775,604. In respect of the wool sold in* the Dominion during the season just ended (from November to March sales) the average price, over the whole Dominion worked out at 16.89 d per lb., or £24 os per bale. The averages for the previous season were 12.661 d per lb, or £lB 3s Id per bale—so that the increase this season amounts to just on per lb, or £6 Is lid per bale. It is very interesting to look at the annual value of the sheep and cattle industry, as measured by the export statistics for the 12 months ended March 31, 1928. as follows: — Frozen meat £10,148,312 \y 00 l 16,691,385 Hides and skins 2,687,541 Other by-prodnets (tallow, etc.) 1,657,909 Total value of industry for 12 months ended March 31, 1928 £31,185,197 The climatic conditions in most parts of the Dominion have been fairly satisfactory for the fattening of stock, although in the early part of the year the continued dry spell in the Auckland and west coast districts of the North Island gave farmers much concern. The average weights of mutton and lamb exported during the last three seasons are respectively as follow: — Wethers. Ewes. Lambs. Season. (lb.) (lb.) (lb.) 1925/26 54.6 54.1 34.3 1926/27 55.9 54.5 34.8 1927/28 56.7 55.0 34.6 With the steady increase in our output of meat, the board has continually kept in view its policy of endeavouring in every way possible to widen the channels of distribution, and it will be seen from the above figures how each year, consistent with out increased output, we are gradually finding new outlets. The number of cattle killed in the Dominion for export in quarters, during the past six years is as follows: — Season. Head. 1922/23 125,083 1923/24 80,707 1924/25 114.637 1925/26 53,898 1926/27 46,083 1927/28 (to 30/6/28) .. 87,839 For some years past the unsatisfactory condition of our cattle industry lias given the board much concern, and it is particularly pleasing to note the increase in the shipments of frozen beef this season, and also the increased values which have been paid for cattle. During the year there have been good inquiries for our frozen beef from New York and also from Montreal. Considerable quantities have been shipped to these and other ports, and it is satisfactory to note that the markets for our frozen beef are being extended. There has also been a good demand for our beef for army and navy orders in Great Britain, which, combined with the demand from New York, Montreal, etc., and the increased values of hides, has raised the values for fat cattle throughout the Dominion. The preference given to Dominion beef for large contracts for the British Army and Navy is invaluable to our beef industry, and the consideration given by the Imperial authorities in this direction should be appreciated by the cattle raisers of this Dominion. It may also be mentioned that the settlement of the disagreement between the South American beef shippers has been a factor in the improvement in the prices realised for frozen beef and has indirectly helped the values of other meats., In connection with the export of meat from South America to the British market, the increase in the lamb shipments from this quarter should be noted, and the board would again stress the necessity of endeavouring in every way possible to keep up the quality of our lambs to meet this competition. For the calendar year 1927 Great Britain imported from all sources, nearly 10,250,000 lambs. In addition to this record importation, the home-killed supplies were also particularly heavy. This large increase in Britain’s consumption of lamb is an important and interesting fact to record, as the quantity imported during 1927 was nearly 1,500,000 greater than the previous year, and easily constituted a record as the number of lambs landed in Great Britain in any previous year had never even reached the 9,000,000 mark. It is also interesting to compare these large landings with the pre-war shipments of lamb to Great Britain, which were generally in the neighbourhood of 5,500,000. z Despite these record supplies in 1927, the current year (1928) started off with a comparatively small carry-over of lamb stocks in the stores in Great Britain, and it is pleasing to record that a better level of prices has been reached this season, and that, up to date, the consumption has been satisfactory.