MEAT GRADING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 258, 1 November 1939, Page 6

MEAT GRADING

Sir, The Hon. W. Nash on Friday night last, broadcasting Ihe prices decided between the New Zealand Government and the British Government for the meat output from New Zealand, included one item I would give publicity, viz. “tegs.” The British Government wifi undoubtedly define a “teg” as it is universally known in English farming circles and in the English meat trade, viz.—“A sheep from the time that it is weaned until it produces four broad teeth." Up to the present time this British definition of a “teg” has not been recognised by the New’ Zealand freezing works when grading, 'their classification for “tegs" being the over 421 b amongst the lamb drafts. As the two-tooth will, if properly graded as a “teg." be worth about 5s per head more than included in the “all ages” wethers and m. ewes as it is at present, this is a point that deserves consideration by the sheepfarmers interested. By adopting a series of standard “raddle marks” for each class of lambs, tegs, wethers and ewes when drafting no expense or extra work is entailed. This is my own experience so I know it is workable. Here in New Zealand it is the farmer’s business to have his twotootlis handled right, but I am more concerned about the thousands of British “retail family butchers” whose trade depends on stocking two-tooth mutton only and who would welcome an increase in a New Zealand guide of mutton, consisting of full fleshed 421 b to 641 b genuine tegs. The present grade of New Zealand tegs, consisting as they do of heavy lambs, are 95 per cent, too fat for a family trade and are usually purchased by caterers, shipping, etc. I have always been of the opinion that a teg grade on the lines Here advocated would, with proper salesmanship and regular supplies erta'blishrd. result in values per lb equal to our lamb (excepting the under 321 b classes;. War is on and the British Government (the buyer) has defined a price for tnis teg grade; surely this is the psychological time to act and c/tablish this grade for all time. When this present war is finished, the New Zealand farmer wifi find that aged wethers will be a “has-been.” The class of meat required by the average person in Great Britain and New Zealand is represented by lamb, two-tooth mutton and beef under two and a-half years old, but this twotooth teg grade is years overdue. The efforts by individuals to test this market are utterly useless, so now is the "golden opportunity." “S.S.T*