CHILLED BEEF PROSPECTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18465, 2 August 1934, Page 6

CHILLED BEEF PROSPECTS

“COMPLICATED BUSINESS” GOOD STRAINS OP CATTLE MEAT BOARD’S REVIEW!" A review of chilled beef prospects in New Zealand is given by the Meat Board in its annual report, which states that to date 16,112 quarters of chilled beef had been shipped from the Dominion. The .report adds : “The quality of the cattle treated for this trade, is the most- important factor contributing to its successful development, and it is essential that shipments of dulled beef right from the inception should bo confined to cattle of the right type. It will be realised that if we are to build up a trade, we must concentrate on endeavoring to establish a .good name for the quality of our beef. The board lias decided to undertake the grading of such beef, so that only beef of suitable quality will be exported. “The standard of living of the British public lias gradually risen since pre-war days, and- quality is the dominant factor which prevails in the sale of all meat. As applying to beef, there is a limited demand for frozen, and the outlet is -being gradually restricted, there being a growing tendency to prefer chilled beef to frozen.

“Years of specialisation have given our Dominion a lamb reputation which is a national asset. If we arc to establish a trade- in chilled beef it will demand the same skill and organisation. With the. advent of the chilled-beef trade the average farmer, if lie wishes to supply suitable cattle, must overhaul li is methods of producing beef. What the trade requires is a well-bred, compact and well-finished beast, the ideal age. being about 2], to 3 years. “Importation of new blood would no doubt improve the quality. There -are, however, at present good strains of beef cattle in the Dominion, and the important thing is to use care in selecting the breeding type; but whatever type is selected the fattening process should commence as early as possible.

“The chilled-beef trade is a much more delicate and complicated business than the frozen-meat trade, and Hie treatment given lo the cattle prior to slaughter, at the freezing works, and on board ship has a marked bearing on Hie successful turnout of the beef at the consuming end. “The .matter of transport of caltlo lo Hie freezing works is very important. li. is essential when cattle are driven that they he taken along as slowly as possible, and when they reach the freezing works they should be rested the necessary time before slaughter, and given plenty of water. “One lias only to pay a visit to a freezing .works when cattle are being killed to see at first hand the waste that often takes place through bruising, in addition to the suffering lo the animalWhilst there are various causes which are responsible for this bruising, there is one which accounts for a great deal- - namely, the habit of cattle horning each other in trucks and cattle yards, and also whilst being driven. It is indisputable 'that dehorning, if practised more, would go a long way to eliminate much of this bruising, and would lie a great help in the, transport of cattle generally. “Laboratory experiments have shown that the introduction of a small peivonlingo of carbon dioxide .into the atmosphere of a chilling chamber has born found to prolong the life of chilled beef. As a result of a conference with the 1.-aw Temperature Research Station a I Cambridge. if was; decided in the second shipment of chilled beef made last year from the Dominion by the Port Fairy licit an experiment should he carried mi). wi!h respect to Hie use of C 0.2 gas. As is well known this shipment was nuile successful, and as a result further •shipments treated with this gas have, been made, If is pleasing to know that the. first shipment of chilled beef treated with 002 gas was made from this Dominion.

“If will be appreciated that the greatest care must be exercised in (lie carrin.ye of chilled beef from 11" 1 freezing works to the ship, and special refrigerated wagons are being movided by the Railways Deparluieiif. The board ecutribilled £750 to the department- towards the cost of reconditioning and filling up the first seven wagons.’ -