BOBBY CALF TRADE

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1930, Page 2

BOBBY CALF TRADE

HEAVY SEASON IN WAIKATO. IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY. A record day’s work was performed at the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company’s meat works at Horotiu on Tuesday, when 5000 “bobby” calves were killed and dressed. Tuesday is always a busy day at the works during the calving season, but the previous Tuesday’s record of 4500 calves was exceeded this week. The previous record was 4260, established during the flush of last season.

Since the inception of the industry in the Waikato by Mr. S. Lye, of Hamilton, three years ago, there has been. a steady increase in the trade. To date this season 30,000 calves have been killed at Horotiu, while a large number has also been dealt with at Southdown. About 100 railway trucks are used every week to transport the freight of calves from all parts of the Waikato and surrounding districts. There are 230 men employed at the works. It is estimated that during the three seasons the “bobby” calf trade has been operating in the Waikato the veal and by-products have brought £1,000,000 to the pockets of the primary producer, A great improvement in the quality of t. i calves dealt with has been noticed this season. The calves are older and better nourished and the. rejects have, been reduced to .9 per cent. An improvement has also been effected in the treatment of the veal and the skins and it is claimed, as far as skins are concerned, that for evenness of grade and quality the New Zealand product is the best in the world.