BOBBY CALVES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 148, 29 August 1941, Page 5

BOBBY CALVES

THE RANGITAIKI POOL BASIS OF PAYMENT In his annual survey to the members of the Rangitaiki Bobby Calf Pool, the chairman, Mr C. R. Wilson had some teresting figures to release. Great emphasis was placed on the need 1 for mature calves and the total elimination of underweight specimens which unfortunately were showing a tendency to be sent to the freezing works in increasing- numbers. The preview of the season reads:— Due to the prohibition of the export of bobby veal, this season's operations will differ from those of previous years. All that now can '»e procured is the Government subsidy of 2s regardless of the size of the calf. The freezing works charge (irrespective of the treatment of the skin) Avill be Is 4d per calf which means that the nett amount of subsidy available will be 8d per calf. Basis of Payment. In view of all the circumstances, it appears quite obvious that payments to pool members based strictly in accoidar.ce with the live heights of calves, such as applied m previous seasons, .would be entirely inequitable t lis year, and therefore your committee agreed to payments being made under the following three classifications:— Heavy calves—6slbs and over (live "veighf.). Light calves—s2 to 64Ibs (live weight). Underweight calves (skinners) —. 181bs and over probably strong and healthy heifer calves. The first adva-ice payment will be made as soon as possible in September and w r ill be a payment on all calves collected up to the 31st August. The second payment will be made as soon as possible after the completion of the season's operalions and will represent a full payment on calves supplied from the Ist September to 30th November plus a final payment on the calves supplied up to 31st August. Every nndeavour will be made to have the

payments available as promptly as possible after the end of each period. A desire was expressed this season lo have the paymentsi more or less uniform throughout the season and it is for this reason as well as the desire to effect every economy, that prompted the introduction of this system of two payments a year which is being adopted by the bulk t)f the pools in the North Island. The carriers will, in future weigh all calves but they- will be classified for payment purposes under the three headings referred to. Underweight Calves. Calves under 501bs..will' be accepted as skinners hut it is important that the carrier should not be asked to pick up calves which are obviously immature and insufficiently strong to stand the journey to the freezing works. For preference, the committee would like to sec each farmer hold back underweight calves until a later collection day because of the urgent need for all farmers to do their utmost to secure the maximum number veils for the cheese industry. Calves which are immature and kill out under the minimum l hooks weight will be condemned by the Government Veterinary Inspectors at the works and . since in addition to the loss of veils which would be entailed, the Government subsidy of 2/will also be lost, it is most imV portant that every endeavour should be made to minimise the percentage of condemnations. The carriers have signified their desire to co-operate with the committee and it is sincerely hoped that all farmers will likewise.