Production Of Beef Falling In N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 September 1950, Page 10

Production Of Beef Falling In N.Z.

WELLINGTON, Yesterday (P.A.). —A warning that New Zealand quarter beef production was declining while other countries were building up production to meet the market demand, was given by the chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, Mr. G. H. Grigg, to the annual meeting today. “A disappointing feature of our export killings is the reduced killing of quarter beef,” he said. ‘‘With the season not yet complete, we have killed some 16,000 quarters less than for the comparable period last season. Beef cattle returns as at January 31, 1949, are also some 36,000 head less than in 1948. Of this deficiency, 19,000 are breeding cows and heifers. “In the interests of New Zealand as a whole, this downward trend in beef production must be stopped. There is a world shortage of beef today and we must not miss the opportunity of Increasing production and adding to our overseas funds.” Mr. Grigg said that Uruguay, which sent about 50,000 tons of meat (mostly beef) to the United kingdom last year, was sending about 70,000 tons this year, and was expected to increase this figure to 100,000 tons next year. “The drop in production of all classes of beef for export from the record 1946-47 season to date is just over 10,000 tons, or the equivalent of 700,000 lambs,” continued Mr. Grigg. “If we are to make substantial progress towards our overall target of a 50,000 tons increase in export meat by 1955, a considerable portion of this tonage will have to come through increased beef.” With complete figures for the season not yet available, the indications were that the total meat exports to the United Kingdom would be up by about 10,000 tons on last year, but 15,000 tons short of the 1946-47 record season, concluded Mr. Grigg.