EXPORT MEAT KILLINGS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24903, 17 June 1946, Page 6

EXPORT MEAT KILLINGS

INCREASE OF 10,000 TONS EXPECTED

A survey of meat export killings for the period from October 1, 1945, to May 18, 1946, indicates that an increase of at least 10,060 tons oyer last season's total of meat for export can be expected this season, according to a statement made by the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board. “Compared with the same period last season, the tonnage of meat available for export at present shows an increase of 16.569 tons,” the board stated. “Killings of lambs this season are 1.360.912 carcases in excess of the total for the corresponding period last season, and are already 70,000 carcases in excess of the killings for the whole of that season. There is every prospect that the record killings ’ of the 1940-41 season will be exceeded. “The increased lamb killings to date are made up of 809.739 carcases in the North Island and 551,173 carcases in the South Island, the percentage of increased killings in the respective islands being: North 15. South 14. “At one time it was feared that the drought in the. North Island would result in heavy inroads being made into normal replacement stock. However, as South Island conditions this season were approaching normal and the percentage increase in lamb killings is S Tactically in line with that of the 'orth Island, it would appear that, generally sneaking, the increased killings are a direct result of the splendid lambing percentages obtained this season. combined with the fact that breeding ewes increased by more than 300.000 on the figures of the previous season Ewe Killings Ewe killings this season are 536,624 carcases in excess of the number for the same period last year, most of this increase being recorded in the North Island. No doubt a proportion of these killings represent capital stock forced into the freezing works by the bad season. This culling should not make any appreciable inroads into the Dominion’s flocks of breeding ewes, which at April 30. 1945. stood at the all-time record of 20.860.000, an increase of more than 1.000.000 on the figures returned at April 30. 1940. and of more than 300.000 on the figures returned at April 30. 1944. The industry has previously shown a wonderful capacity for quick recovery from heavy killings of ewes. For instance, in the 1943-44 season, killings for expert reached the record total of 1.966.338. yet breeding ewe flocks at April 30. 1945, increased by 300.000 over the previous season. “Ox«and heifer beef killings to date record an appreciable, decrease over the figures of the previous season, an anticipated reaction'after last season’s heavy slaughterings.”