MEAT PRODUCTION
FINAL FIGURES FOR SEASON CONSIDERED SATISFACTORY The final production figures for the season ended 30th September, 1948, show a decline bf 7788 tons (shipping weight) or approximately 12,000 tons (bone-in weight) on last season’s record production of meat for export, states the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board. Having regard to the dry conditions experienced in many districts of the North Island and the northern portion of the South Island during last summer the final production figures can be considered satisfactory. Midway through the season killings were considerably in excess of thoseof the previous year and hopes were entertained that last season’s record production would be exceeded. Unfortunately killings tailed rapidly in all districts with the result that the initial surplus was converted to a final deficit.
The dominating feature of the season’s production was the record lambing percentages which resulted in record killings of lambs, the final figure of 11,965,279 carcases being 55,715 in excess of the previous best recorded in the 1945/46 season. Sheep killings were approximately 400,000 head less than last season. In considering the reasons for this reduction regard should be taken of the effect of high wool values on normal farming practice. Quarter beef production was down by 35,000 carcases but this was compensated to some extent by a small increase in other classes of beef. After the serious decline of previous years it is pleasing to record an increase of 38,000 carcases in pig killings. It is to be hoped that this will be the forerunner of a gradual return to normal production. Due to the inclement season average weights of carcases declined appreciably on those of last season, lambs and wethers being down by approximately 11 lbs per l carcase and ewes by 1 lb per carcase. On sheep and lambs the loss in weight under this heading was approximately 8000 tons, or sufficient to offset the total loss in production (shipping weight). Export killings for the season are set out below, with the corresponding figures for the previous season in parentheses:— North Island: Lambs, 6,352,022 (6,122,661); wethers, 502,707 (692,434); ewes, 1,267,934 (1,449,277); beef qrs., 830,392 (960,859); porkers, 109,366 (94,458); baconers, 148,342 (123,850). South Island: Lambs, 5,604,257 (5,276,218); wethers, 64,897 (74,958); ewes, 790,419 (837,191); beef qrs., 42,272 (54,786); porkers, 2280 (2585); baconers, 6035 (7083). Dominion: Lambs, 11,956,279 (11,398,879); wethers, 567,604 (767,392); ewes, 2,058,353 (2,286,468); beef, 872,664 (1,015,645); porkers, 111,646 (97,043); baconers, 154,377 (130,933). Average killing weights with comparative figures for last season in parentheses are:— North Island: Lambs, 33.41 (35.15); wethers, 59.09 (60.18); ewes, 55.36 (57.23). South Island: Lambs, 34.87 , (35.58); wethers, 50.76 (52.41); ewes, 54.44 (54-01). Dominion: Lambs, 34.09 (35-35); wethers, 58.14 (59.42); ewes, 55.01 (56.05).
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Bibliographic details
Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6985, 3 November 1948, Page 3
Word Count
445MEAT PRODUCTION Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6985, 3 November 1948, Page 3
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