MEAT KILLINGS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 54, 6 March 1945, Page 7

MEAT KILLINGS

DECLINE IN VOLUME EXPLAINED

HEAVIER WEIGHTS MAINTAINED

In the latest figures of slock killed for export there is a decline in numbers compared with the position at the same date last season ? but the New Zealand Meat Producers Board staled that this would appear to be a temporary phase. Stock is being kept longer on the pastures as there is ample feod and in any case the manpower position together with transport difficulties ol' recent date have been the cause of postponements. It is. most fortunate that feed conditions have been so good for otherwise serious losses may have resulted. The policy adi vocated by the Board was expected to delay -killings, if feed conditions in order that increased weights would be achieved. Their objective has been reached as evidenced by the figures below. Export meat killings at New Zealand freezing works for this season up to 10th February with the corresponding details for last season shown in parentheses have been as follows: — North Island Lambs 3 } 285,255 (3-138,195) Wethers 197,416 ( 111,902) Ewes. 316,777 ( 371,941) South Island Lambs (1^)03,221) Wethers 6,926 ( 4,430) E\ves - 31,370 ( 34,083) Dominion totals arc: Lamb 4,064,182 (5,041,719); AVetliers 204,342 (116,332); ewes 348 5 647 (106,524); Beef' 98,349 (24 254) . Reports on conditions in all parts of the Dominion supplied by the Board's Supervising Graders for the week ended February 17 state, in regard to Auckland that pas. tures were carrying plenty of feed, and there, arc no fears of a shortage for a considerable time. Fine warm weather had generally prevailed in I West Coast and Taranaki districts, where feed is also plentiful and the growth excellent. In Poverty Bay and Hawkc's: Bay districts a good rain over the weekend lias been followed by hot and humid weather. Most, of the country, it. is reported, is well off for feed exccpt Poverty Bay, but rain experienced in that area Avill do good if it was not too late. Mainly fair weather and very good pastures were reported in the Manawatu district, and an equally satisfactory position existed i/ the Wairarapa where feed should be adequate for the. remainder of the season. The Canterbury report was re-i eeived prior to the recent heavy " floods. It stated that weather conditions were dull and warm, and the early part of the week very wet. The works, it was reported > were all a little busier. Conditions in Otago and Southland remained settled and feed plen-i til"ul but growth was still on the soft side in Otago, Avith the result that lambs in some districts were, not doing well.