MEAT INDUSTRY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5940, 8 May 1944, Page 6

MEAT INDUSTRY

GOOD CONDITIONS FOR STOCK The fortnightly report by the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board on meat killings for export covers a period to April 15, which included the Easter holidays. The comparable period last year excluded Easter; consequently, the latest figures, showing a further decline, are not significant. Reports on the feed position are again good from every part of the 'Dominion, and it is also evident that the works will maintain their activity longer than usual.

Total killings to April 15, with those of last season to April 17 in parentheses, are as follows:—Lambs 7,704,903 (9,144,885); wethers 377,158 (463,276); ewes 1,374,793 (1,473,093).

North Island: 4,715,684 carcases (5,208,767); wethers, 350,192 (427,490); ewes 1,070,356 (1,079,083).

South Island: Lambs 2,989,219 carcases (3,936,118); wethers 26,966 (35,786); ewes 304,437 (394,010).

Beef (quarters) 117,300 (306,489); boneless beef (freight carcases), 293,004 (583,498); and bobby veal 62,000 (75,382).

“Pastures are in* great condition with food in plenty,” reports the Board’s Supervising Grader regarding the Auckland district. The report adds that winter conditions should be excellent, and stock should be in splendid condition next spring. Killings have been heavy at all works, and this is expected to continue. •

From West Coast and Taranaki area the report indicates maintenance of ample food. Freezing companies, it is stated, anticipate the present rate of killings to be maintained for at least a fortnight, after which there will be a dragging tail-end to the season.

Though late in the year there is still a growth of feed in Poverty Bay and Hawke’s Bay. Stock are doing well. Pastures in the Wairarapa are reported to be very good, and those in the Manawatu very fair to good, the prospects for winter feed in both districts being satisfactory.

In the South Island the Supervising Graders report good weather conditions in Canterbury; fine but fairly cold in Otago, and wintry in Southland. All the works in Otago and southland have been busy, and expect to continue similarly for several weeks.