WINTER MEAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26774, 18 May 1948, Page 6

WINTER MEAT

SUPPLIES FOR CITY MUTTON LIKELY TO BE SCARCE EFFECT OF FEED POSITION Although plenty of fat sheep and cattle are available in Otago at present to maintain the supplies of fresh meat to the city, stock agents expect that there will be some shortage during the winter months, which will result in a corresponding decrease in the quantity of fresh meat which can be bought in Dunedin. The worst shortage is expected to be in lines of mutton, because the dry season in Otago has reduced the amount of winter feed, and the high export schedules have attracted more sheep than usual to the works. Stock agents told the Daily Times yesterday that plenty of fat cattle were available in the meantime, but supplies were likely to be reduced owing to the dry season not only in Otago but in Canterbury, which normally supplies much of the local farmers’ store stock. Also, more cattle had been killed for export this season. As Southland had experienced a good season, however, it was probable that much of the deficiency in beef could be met from there. It was also stated that, because of the dry season and the high export schedule, farmers generally had adopted a policy of sending more fat sheep and lambs to the freezing works this season. The dry season in Central Otago in particular had raised doubts about the adequacy of the winter feed that would be available, and this had had the effect .of inducing farmers to send more fat sheep to the works, rather than hold them during the winter.

Butchers told the Daily Times that some shortages seemed inevitable, and the position would be worse after next month. It was difficult, however, to estimate to what extent the public would be affected.