BOBBY CALVES IN SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 19

BOBBY CALVES IN SOUTHLAND

Fewer Killings This Season REJECT PERCENTAGE SHOWS INCREASE The killing of bobby calves at the Southland freezing works is proceeding normally, but there are indications that the total output for the season will be below that of last season. For the first month of the season killings have been lower by about 10 per cent. To some extent the reduction may be accounted for by closing of several small factories in the province and the less attractive price offered for the calves this season. The Southland Calf Committee announced at the beginning of this month a reduction in the price for reject calves from 4/- to 3/-. This action was made necessary by an increase in the number of rejects, the price paid being found to be too high for a considerable number. In some districts where the dry season was most pronounced and the shortage of feed acute there have been many small calves which although well formed and apparently reasonably well nourished.were below the weight permissible for export. In normal seasons rejections are not greater than about 2 per cent., but this percentage has been more than doubled in some districts.

The average weight of calves in all district will probably be below the figure for last season because the cows were lower in condition during the last autumn and winter than a year ago.