Lamb Output Rises This Season

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31109, 12 July 1966, Page 16

Lamb Output Rises This Season

By the end of May the weight of lamb produced for export in the current export killing season had exceeded the figure for the same period of last season, says the market information service of the Meat Producers’ Board. In the early part of the season killings were considerably behind because of the unusually good summer feed conditions, coupled with a build-up of breeding stock. However, with heavier autumn killings lamb production for the period from October 1, 1965, to May 28,1966, totalled 266,274 tons, or 336 tons more than for the same eight months of the previous season. A higher average weight of lambs this season accounts for the greater tonnage, even

though the number of lambs killed was still behind last season’s figure. Production for the eight months in carcases and cuts was the equivalent of about 19,256,000 lambs, which compares with about 19,716,000 lambs for the corresponding period last season, a reduction of about 460,000, or 2.3 per cent Ewe mutton production continues to be well down. In eight months 55,632 tons had been produced for export, compared with 77,426 tons for the same months of 1964-65 season, a decrease of 21,794 tons, or 28.1 per cent. Wether mutton production was, however, higher at 6733 tons, against 4281 tons previously, an increase of 2452 tons, or 57.3 per cent. Total beef production for the October-May period was 76,174 tons. This compared with 81,626 tons for the comparable period of 1964-65, a decrease of 5452 tons, or 6.7 per cent. Total meat and offal for export at May 28 was 442,630 tons, compared with 467,910 tons in the previous season. This was a decrease of 25,280 tons, or 5.4 per cent.