CALF POOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27082, 17 May 1949, Page 6

CALF POOLS

OPERATION IN OTAGO FIRST YEAR REVIEWED FACTS AND FIGURES Interesting facts and figures were mentioned by the chairman, Mr A. O’Haiioran, at the first annual meeting of tne Hawksbury Calf Pool held at Waikouaiti last night. Mr O’Halloran is also chairman of the Otago Bobby Calf Pools’ Federation. Many herds to-day were kept for the sole purpose of town milk supply, Mr O’Jtiailoran said, and the flow of calves was spread over the whole year. The number of out-of-season calves already dealt with was 2424 and represented a saving of much valuable material that would otherwise not have been marketed. Before the pools were formed, calves were collected only fromi a part of the present area and then oVily during the period from approximately the first week in September to the first week in November. Referring to the formation of the Hawksbury, Taieri and South Otago pools, Mr O’Halloran said that pool committees had been elected for the various districts and later their appointment was gazetted. Two members from each pool were nominated to act in executive capacity and to be known as the Otago Bobby Calf Pools Federation. The Primary Producers’ Cooperative Society of Otago was appointed business agents, and active operations commenced on August 4, 1948. The pools started operations without any capital whatever, and of necessity payment for calves could only be made as sufficient funds came to hand. Commenting on the differences in returns for the 1948 season, compared with the previous year, Mr O’Halloran said: “Suppliers should be aware of the fact that the actual value to the processers of the flesh and offal of an average calf, say of 801 b. is approximately 5.s 6d, and it is in the skin alone that any variation in value occurs. In the 1947 season, exported skins brought as , high as 90d per lb, and also had the benefit of the exchange rate. This high export value was reflected m the price paid for calves for that season In the 1948 season the export price was approximately 52d per lb and minus the exchange rate. The difference in values between the two seasons on an average 41b to 51b skin is substantial, and explains the difference in prices between the seasons. The first charge against (any pool skin is a levy of 6s a skin. On calf skins from the farm, and known as ‘ country skins there is a levy of 2s 3d per lb, which means that on a 41b skin 9s plus commission is deducted before the vendor gets anything. . „ , , . “A large proportion of pool skins, some 326,000, are retained for local use ”he added. “ This number of skins is supplied to processers at 16$d per lb: the overseas price in 1947 was 90d per lb. To be fair, it must be stated that some attempt was made to rectify the position and, in 1946, a subsidy of approximately 73d per lb was paid from the Consolidated Fund to help bridge the gap between the price to the tanners of 16Jd and the assessed COP of 32d per lb, the pools bearing the other 7fd per lb. This was again altered in 1947 and the Consolidated Fund paid the difference between 16£d to the tanners and the COP of 32d per lb. The difference between the 32d and the overseas price was lost to producers. The procedure was again altered in 1948 and the position at present ’in regard to pool skins is first, a levy of 6s per skin on all skins, 326,000 of these skins are then allotted to tanners at 16|d per lb, the difference between that figure and the COP of 32d per lb is made up from the Consolidated Fund, and an additional 20d per lb is withdrawn from the existing pool funds to bring the present day price to approximately world parity of 52d per lb. It is fair to say that the dairy farmers of the Dominion are subsidising the general public to the extent of at least 7s to 8s per skin. The position is a direct imposition on a section of the community for the benefit of the whole and should be immediately rectified. The pools were inaugurated to benefit the farming community over the years, Mr O’Halloran concluded. To date not a single penny had been paid to committeemen or executive members for their service and only actual expenses incurred had been met. ihe pools were the dairy farmers’ own organisation. With the exception of actual running costs every available •penny was distributed to suppliers. The opportunity occurred each year to elect members to control its destinies and its future was in their own hands.