EXPORT KILLINGS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 196, 17 May 1944, Page 4

EXPORT KILLINGS

Some Improvement Shown

MEAT BOARD SURVEY

The record of killings at export freezing works to April 20, prepared by the New Zealand Meat Producers Board, shows that the decline this season in wethers is now 56,400 careases below the preceding season to May 1. .and that ewe killings have come within ol.o« carcases of last season’s total. Lambs, however, are down to the .extent of 1,103,315, bul the supervising graders’ reports refer to a prolongation.of freezing works operations in some districts and indicate a generally satisfactory supply of feed for stock. . Total killings to April 20, with those for last season to May 1 in parentheses, are: Lambs. 8,430,017 (11,093,332) ; wethers, 438,070 (494,-110); ewes, 1,003,307 (1,535,184). North Island: Lambs, carcases, 4,991,973 (5.358,504) ; wethers, carcases, -101,048 (453,918) ; ewes, carcases, 1,142,942 (1,103,250). South Island: Lambs. careases, 3,438,044 (4,234.828) ; wethers, careuses, 3i,022 (40,561) ; ewes. carcases, 3M).3ui> (431,934). Beef, quarters, 156,6.u0 (346,314) : boneless beef, freight carcases. 336.973 (615,943) ; and bobby veal, 62,569 ( 76,016). Average killing weights to April -J hpve beeu as follows: —Tjambs Doniiniou average. 33.541 b. (33.5<1b.). North Island : 32.7811>. (32.581 b. South Island: 34.641 b. (34.831 b. Wethers—Dominion "average: - 55.37)h (55.021 b. North Island: 56.121 b. (55.591 b. South Island: 49.641 b. (48.731 b. The average weight of ewes is 52.971 b. compared with 55.041 b. in the preceding season —North Island: 53.161 b. (56.091 b. South Island: 52.39 lb. (52.381 b. . A i aSeasonable weather in Auckland district. and a remarkable growth of feed, are reported by the board’s supervising grader, who adds that killings have been heavy, specially of beef and pigs. Feed continues plentiful on the West Coast of the North Island, growth being unusually good, with the result that stock should winter well. The report from the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay districts states that cattle have had to be held on the pastures to cone with the heavy supply of feedPastures are very good in the Wairarapa and fairly good in the Manawatq. Heavy rains accompanied by cold temperatures in Canterbury have retarded fattening by softening rape and other Otago and Southland have experienced frosts. The supervising grader states that the Southland works are busy and expect to have a good run for another few weeks.