BIG INCREASE IN LAMB KILLINGS INDICATES POSSIBILITY OF RECORD

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 1948, Page 5

BIG INCREASE IN LAMB KILLINGS INDICATES POSSIBILITY OF RECORD

(P.A.) Wellington, Jan. 16. “Following my recent statement on lambs killed for export I am now advised by the Meat Producers Board of later figures which disclose that lamb killings from the commencement of the season to January 10, 1948, are 585,224 carcases in excess of the comparable period for last season,” said the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Cullen) tonight. The total is made up of 327,924 carcases from the North Island and 257,300 from the South Island. These figures indicate this season's killings of lambs may prove to be an all-time record as was to be expected with a heavy crop of lambs this season. Average weights to date are approximately one pound per carcase lighter than for the corresponding period of last season. Full details of slaughterings are: Number of carcases.—North Island: 2 048,678 in 1947 and 2.376,602 In 1948; • South Island: 335.945 in 1947 and 593,245 in 1948. Dominion totals: 2,384,623 in 1947 and 2,969,847 In 1948. Average weights: North Island: 35.70 pounds in 1947 and 34.79 in 1948. South Island: 36.54 in 1947 and 34.75 in 1948. Dominion average: 35.82 in 1947 and 34.78 in 1948. “The increased killings are extremely gratifying both from the point of view of the Aid for Britain campaign and in view of the necessity for early killing to avoid congestion at freeing works during the peak period of killing now being entered upon in both islands,’ added the Minister. “The killing figures are also a pleasing indication of the co-operation between farmers, workers and the freezing industry."