THE MEAT INDUSTRY

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16094, 18 September 1924, Page 2

THE MEAT INDUSTRY

CONDITIONS IN ARGENTINE. N,Z. PRODUCERS' BOARD REPORT. The New Zealand Meat Producers' Board has received the following letter from its South American representative, dated June 30, 1924: — "All classes of fat cattle are dearer with good prospects of beef being considerably higher before fat cattle are available off the spring grass. There is now less discrimination regarding weight, and heavy beasts and plainer quality beef will be shipped as chilled, though a sufficiency of olainer quality beef suitable for continental requirements will be available. Shippers of live cattle for the continental trade have been paying 24 cents .per kilo live weight for the generally heavy cattle they ship, though 28 cents was paid for a choice lot of Aberdeen Angus steers destined for the Swiss market. The different freezing plants in Brazil are slaughtering about 2,500 : head of cattle per day amongst the four plants operating. The greater proportion of this beef is being sent to the continental market. The use of the British breeds as improving agents has been disappointing in the warmer zones above Rio-Grand-do-sul. They have not given the results anticipated owing to the ticks and insect pests that do not cause the least inconvenience to the hardy Zebu, Which is the only breed of cattle that will give results in the extensive good grazing, wellwatered, but warm, parts of Brazil. A policy was -commenced of careful selection of the best backed cows to which were mated bulls with the best backs available, and a wonderful improvement has been brought. about in breeding better backs on the iZebu, so as to give more acceptable carcases for butchers' requirements. I have had an extensive experience in Brazil, and my opinion regarding the suitability-of the Zebu for the conditions in Brazil is that -they will live, and thrive where other breeds die.: in the Argentine, store and. breeding cattle arc slow of sale at-present, owing to the scarcity of pasture.' "There are less sheep available, and best quality hoggets.are in good demand. I have this morning received, a complete list of the sheep killed .on the South Coast, and Miave cabled same to you to-day. Last year's kill on the South Coast was 1,450,235 nheep aad lambs; while this, year •1,303,620 were -killed; or 141,615 less than last-season. The weather has -been favourable for lambing in •this part of the country, and a good lamb crop- can; be anticipated. In a conversation , to-day with Mr ■F. 11. Townsend from Punla Arenas, .that gentleman tells me the seasonhas been exceptionally favourable in that part of the country, end lambing' ii.s likely to be good.

Swifts' prices to-day are as- follows :—Cattle: Chillers, ,5.08 d per 'kilo, liv.3 weight; continental, 3.63d;5.99: good canners, 2.54; thin can■ners, 1.63d-2.0d, all per kilo live •weight. Sheep: Hoggets, 8.53d-8.71d '.'per lb, dead ;•■wethers, 6.0d-6.72d per ;ib; ewes, 4.9di 5.44 d per lb. Exchange 13V22 dol. to the pound sterling." '