EXPORT OF LAMBS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 274, 19 November 1943, Page 3

EXPORT OF LAMBS

OPENING SCHEDULE OF PRICES (P.A.) Wellington, Nov. 18. The Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, the Hon. B. Roberts, announced to-day the opening schedules for export lambs agreed upon between the Government and the Meat Board. The prices (per pound “on the hooks”), which take effect immediately, are as follow: Prime Down Cross.—Two's, 23/36, 81d; eights ,37/42, 8 3-8 d; fours, 43/50, 7?d; tegs, 51/56, 7 id.

Prime Canterbury.—Two’s, 23/36, Sid; eights, 37/42, 8 3-8 d; fours, 43-50, 7Sd; tegs, 51/56, 7id. Prime Crossbred.—Two’s, 23-36, Bid; eights, 37/42, 81-8 d; fours, 43/50, 7Jd; tegs, 51/56, 7d. Second quality: 23/36, 7Sd; 37/42, 73d; 43/50, 7d.

Commendin; these schedules. Mr. Roberts stated that all light-weight lambs (23/361b5.) remain at the same opening prices as last year. For the heavier grades <37/561b5.) the price has been adjusted so as to remove the anomaly introduced in 1941-42, under which the producer was penalised for his extra effort and received a smaller return when he lifted his lambs from lighter to heavier classes. The object of the adjustment is not only to remove this anomaly but also to recompense the farmer for the additional costs and effort in increasing weights of lambs in response to the urgent request of the United Kingdom for heavier shipments of meat.

The Meat Board, which has been in close consultation with the Government on this matter, had undertaken to organise a. campaign to increase the average weight of sheep and lamb carcases in order to assist in meeting the needs of the United Kingdom. “I need hardly add,” continued the Minister, “that a campaign with such a laudable object has the full support and approval of the Government. I confidently appeal to all producers and to all others associated with the meat export industry in its various phases of production, transport and processing, to take every possible step to achieve the desired result. Two years ago the shipping outlook was anything but bright, and in order to get the greatest possible number of lambs shipped in the limited refrigerated space then offering a deterrent had to be placed on the production of heavy lambs.

This had occasioned some hardship, particularly to producers in certain districts wnere climatic conditions favour the production of lambs of heavier categories. It is now possible, as a result of the changed conditions, to remove that anomaly. The Government appreciates that a request for increased weight involves alterations in farm economy, and the new schedule will recompense producers of heavy-weight lambs for the extra work and expense involved for holding lambs on their farms for a longer period.” . Mr. Roberts stated that the changes in buying schedules would be reflected in corresponding movements in the Marketing Department's f.o.b. purchase prices for frozen lamb, and that additional cost would be borne by the Meat Pool Account. The Minister said he hoped to be in a position to announce the opening prices for wethers, ewes and beef at an early date.