SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN EXPORT MEAT PRODUCTION IN N.Z.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 14, 1 November 1948, Page 3

SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN EXPORT MEAT PRODUCTION IN N.Z.

Final production figures for the season ended September 30, 1948, show a decline of 7,788 tons (shipping weight) or approximately 12,000 tons (bone-in weight) on last season’s record production of meat for export, states the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board. Having regard to' the dry conditions experienced in many districts of the North Island and the Northern portion of the South Island during last summer the final production figures can be considered satisfactory. Midway through the season killings were considerably in excess of those-of the previous year and hopes were entertained that last season’s record production would be exceeded. Unfortunately killings tailed rapidly in all districts with the result that the initial surplus was converted to a final deficit.

The dominating feature of the season’s production was the record lambing percentages which resulted in record killings of lambs, the final figure of 11,956,279 carcases being 55,715 in excess of the previous best recorded in the 1945-46 season. Sheep killings were approximately 400,000 head less than last’ season. In considering the reasons for this reduction regard should be taken of the effect of high wool values on normal farming practice. Quarter beef production was down 35,000 carcases but this was compensated to some extent by a small increase in other classes of beef. After the serious decline of previous years it is pleasing to record an increase of 38,000 carcases in pig killings. It is to be hoped that this will be .the forerunner of a gradual return to normal production. Due to the inclement season average weights of carcases declined appreciably on those of last season, lambs and wethers being down by approximately lßbs per carcase and ewes by lib per carcase. On sheep and lambs the loss in weight under this heading was approximately 8,000 tons or sufficient to offset the total loss in production (shipping weight).