Payments For Bobby Calves Criticised

Chronicle (Levin), 6 October 1948, Page 4

Payments For Bobby Calves Criticised

Tne view that the system oi payTnent - for bobby caives by the Levin-Kuku Bobby Calf Pool was unfair ito breeders of Friesian caives was expressed at the quarterly meeting of the Horowhenua Friesian Breeders' Assoeiation yesterday. At present farmers , are paid for their caives on the basis of three grades, heavies, lights and skinners. Tne Friesian breeders consider that they shoUld be paid according to live weight in a defined scale. A "heavy" calf is one which weighs 64 lbs. or more, but the Friesians, with their heavier and bigger cattle, usually produce caives considerably in excess of this. The meeting considered that Friesian breeders' were merely subsidising the lighter breeds. At a recent meeting it was resolved to 'write to the pool protesting against the method of payment. In reply, a letter was received from the secretary of the pool, Mr. J. M. Parsons, pointing out that payment on live weight would not solve the problem. Mr. Parsons contended that a heavy calf had a greater proportion of bone to total carease weight than the lighter sorts. Therefore, the nett amount of veal reSulting could not be guaranteed to be double that secured from a carcase half its weight. "A change to a live weight system must, on the known facts, prove to result in a benefit to the people with the heavy caives at the expense of those sending in the light caives," commented the letter. "We are paying for the little caives today," said Mr. F. O. Malcolm. "The pool is trying to make out that a live weight system would not work, but at present I know of two pools that are working on that system, which proves that it is workable." The heavy calf was definitely not below proportion in weight to meet when compared with light caives, he contended. He had compared two caives at the works and had found this to be correct. Friesians were among the largest caives, continued Mr. Malcolm. Farmers who were using Friesian bulls, and consequently getting heavier .caives, were the ones who were losing a great deal of money. The stud 'breeders were not so much concerned because they did not send so many caives "to the pool. It was decided to -write to the New' Zealand Friesian Breeders' Council and request it to take the matter up. It was further decided to reply to the letter from the local pooh .