NOTES FOR FARMERS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12490, 17 March 1909, Page 4

NOTES FOR FARMERS.

THE LAjMB TRADE. The present state of the lamb trade is causing South Canterbury farmers some annoyance. A well-known farmer stated in Timaru on Saturday that farmers did not know where they were -just-now in regard to their fat lambs, as the altered basis of buying had altogether upset their calculations. Previously, growers Jiad aimed at getting heavy lambs with plenty of fat on them, but now buyers had fixed 361 bas the maximum weight for first quality, with tke result that those who had bought store lambs at up to 13s. 6d each to fatten were losing money, as the lambs were worth no more than this when ready for killing. The prices now offering we re :— Up to 361 b, first quality, 4£d per lb ;' second quality, same weight, 4id; 361 bto 421 b, 4£d, over -421 b, 3§d. Thus a big lamb over 401 b did not fetch as much as a prime quality 381 b lamb, and farmers when buying' stores picked out the biggest framed lambs, thinking to make up in weight for the reduced price now offering per lb.. But instead of attaining their object they now found themselves worse off through having big lambs. Further, the farmer said that sending lambs up to 501 b Home had been the means of detracting from the reputation of the New Zealand export lamb trade, something smaller and not so. fat being what was desired by consumers in England, but the suddsn change in weight and the drop in price would mean a heavy loss to a good many sheen men this season. —"New Zealand Times."