BOBBY CALF BAROMETER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 06, Issue 95, 3 August 1943, Page 4

BOBBY CALF BAROMETER

IT has often been said that the surest barometer to dairying: is the number of bobby calves going forward annually from any one: district. It is therefore pleasing to reflect that from the Rangitaiki area to date some 2,683 calves have already gone forward, a figure which shows an increase of 58 over the same period last year. The only fault with the supply this year is a distinct falling off in type, which has relsuted in a growing number of 'skinners'* coming forward. This weakness is generally due to the haste of the. average farmer to be quit of his calves instead of allowing them to mature a day or two. The result is reflected in the price, for any calf under the regulation 521bs is condemned as far as meat values avail and is useful only so far as its skin is concerned. Above that weight the calf is worth 9/6 an appreciable increase for the sake of a few days feeding. To date there has been just ten per cent, underweight and this is not merely something of a reflection upon the suppliers, but also a loss nationally, which we can ill afford. The appeal is therefore to farmers to see. to it that their calves are kept sufficiently longenough to meet the required weight standard.