EXPORT OF MEAT

Southland Times, Issue 25668, 10 May 1945, Page 2

EXPORT OF MEAT

EXPANSION OF VOLUME New Zealand’s export killing of lamb and mutton, which this season had not been equalling those of the previous season, because of the policy of keeping stock longer on the farms in order to secure heavier carcass weights, have now caught upon the disparity. The latest details of killings at export freezing works, prepared by the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, show that lamb production to April 14 had reached a total practically up to that of last season to April 15, while ewes killed this season were 14,055 in excess of the previous season, wethers 94,879 carcasses and beef 181,479 quarters. Still greater improvement in volume of meat exports can be shown if heavier carcass weights are taken into account. Export killings at New Zealand meat works this season till April 14. with the figures for last season till April 15, were as follows: — NORTH ISLAND

Reports on weather and feed conditions from the board’s supervising graders on April 28 show that in Auckland district, the weather had been seasonable and pastures were looking well. In the Manawatu and West Coast districts, wintry weather had checked growth, but the feed position was regarded as being quite good. Hawke’s Bay. it was reported, needed rain, and conditions were very dry in Poverty Bay. thus reducing the supply of feed to carry stock further into the winter. Changeable weather prevailed in the Manawatu, where pastures were very good. A rainfall in the Wairarapa would, it was reported. help to improve the pastures, which were regarded as fair to good. In the South Island, the Canterbury conditions had been cold and stormy with some hard frosts. All the works in Otago and Southland were very busy, and expected to continue in full swing for several weeks Heavy rain, and cold, changeable weather had been experienced in all districts of Otago and Southland.

BURNSIDE STOCK SALE SLIGHT REDUCTION IN VALUES (P.A..) DUNEDIN, May 9. There was a large entry of fat cattle at the weekly sale at Burnside today and again there was a slight reduction in values. Best quality received fair attention from butchers, but for the other classes there was not much demand, many pens being passed over. The highest price for an extra prime bullock was £2O/17/6. Prime bullocks realized £l7/12/6 to £lB/17/6, medium £l4 17/6 to £l5/17/6, light from £l3/2/6; extra prime heifers to £l2/17/6, prime cows £9 to £lO/2/6, medium £7/17/6 to £B/12/6. n Lambs totalling 375 were offered. Best quality brought 36/-, prime 33/6, medium 27/- to 28/6 and light from 24/-. There was a yarding of 1550 fat sheep. Wethers sold firm at last week s rates, while ewes in most cases had a very poor inquiry. Best wethers realized 44/-, prime 39/- to 42/6 and medium 35/6 to 37/-. In the pig section there was a small yarding of baconers and there was a keen demand for all classes of the offering. Best baconers realized £7/19/-, prime £6 to £6/15/- and medium £5 to £5/14/-. addington” market DEMAND FOR FAT STOCK (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. Though today’s Addington sale fell on a holiday, entries in all classes were fairly large, although much below recent big yardings. There was a sound demand for fat sheep and fat cattle, and prices showed a material change. Store sheep were forward in reduced numbers, and although the attendance of buyers showed a decrease, recent prices were substantially maintained. Store Sheep—The entry was 5472, against about 14,000 last week. There was only a moderate attendance of buyers, but prices for wether lambs did not show any material change on recent values, while ewe lambs were firm at late rates. Best wether lambs made from 18/6 to 21/6, one line of 325 making 20/-. There was a sound demand for hill wethers, one line of two and four-tooths selling from 25/6 to 27/6, and six and eight-tooths at 25/6. Strong woolled wethers made 28/- for four-tooths. There was a limited entry of ewes in lamb, and these were of medium to inferior quality, the best pen of sound-mouthed sheep making 17/6.

Fat Sheep.—The entry was 4500, against 7000 last week, and included several pens of prime wethers and ewes. The bulk, however, comprised export sheep, which sold to the existing schedule of 4Jd per lb. Prime wethers were again in keen demand by butchers, prices ranging for the best from 45/- to 49/-, and there were many sales over the 40/- mark. Best aged ewes sold at up to 26/-. On the whole there was no noticeable change in the range of values. Fat Cattle.—The entry was 615, against 793 last week. The best prices at last week’s market were exceeded for some prime medium weight pens, but prices were easier for other classes, particularly for unfinished steers and cows. Best beef made to 43/6 per 1001 b, good to 37/-, ordinary to 33/-, and cow to 30/-. Extra prime steers made from £lB/10/- to £2l/17/6 and prime £l6/5/- to £l7/10/-. Fat Pigs.—There was a small entry. Competition was keen for all classes, and values were unchanged. Porkers’ made to £3/19/6 and baconers to £6 8/6. The average price per lb for baconers was to 9d.

This Season Last Season Lambs Wethers Ewes 4,769,449 441,190 1,012,873 4,715,684 350,192 1,070,356 SOUTH ISLAND Lambs Wethers Ewes This Year 2.931,690 30,847 375,975 Last Year 2,989,219 26,966 304,437 Dominion totals are:— 1 This Year Last Year Lamb (c/cs) 7,701.139 7,704,903 Wethers (c/cs) 472,037 377,158 Ewes (c/cs) 1.388,848 1,374.793 Beef (qrs> 298.779 117,300 Average killing weights to April 14 with the comparative figures were:— NORTH ISLAND Lambs Wethers Ewes This Year lb 34.51 60.99 57.88 Last Year lb 32.82 56.33 53.29 Lambs Wethers Ewes SOUTH ISLAND This Year lb 35.70 53.13 55.01 Last Year lb 34.53 49.19 52.96