MEAT MARKETING.

Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 260, 3 August 1925, Page 8

MEAT MARKETING.

WORK OF CONTROL BOARD. REGULATION OF SUPPLIES. GOOD EFFECT ON PRICES. In the annual report to be presented at. the third annual meeting of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board to be held on August 27, it i.s-Stated: — From,a fattening point of view this season may be considered a very satisfactory one, the climatic conditions throughout the Dominion during the spring and summer being very favourable. The autumn conditions, however. in many parts were not so favourable .with the result that there has been an appreciable falling off in the number of stock sent along the freezing works at the tail end of theseason. Despite the fact that the. lambing returns last spring were csti-. mated to be slightly in excess of the preceding year’s figures, yet up to June 30 there is a shortage in the killing figures, as compared with the previous season, of 19,020 lambs. The killings of sheep and cattle, however, have been much greater, with the result that the total weight of meat treated at tin; different works is greatly in excess of the preceding season. That this season has been a favourable one for fattening is shown in the increased average weight of stock treated, as illustrated by the following comparison:— ( Season 1923-21: Average weight ol we'lhers, 55.91b5; average weight of ewes, naJ llbs; average weight of lamb, 34. libs. Season 1924-25: Average weight ol widhers, 57.Gibs; average weight of ewes. 57.21b5: average weight of iamb, 35.41b5. The Continental demand for heel lias given a fresh stimulus to the cal lie industry, and the demand from this quarter will probably be mainlaiued. The prices offered on the Smillifield market for beef in the earlier part of the season were satisfactory and resulted in remunerative prices being offered to beef raising farmers in the Dominion. It is to he hoped that the recent r'eecdencc in prices during the last, few weeks, owing in heavy arrivals of chilled beef from the Argentine, is only temporary. and that prices will soon improve. II js pleasing to note that Ibis year’s operations show an increase in our frozen beef exporls. An increase in our heel' shipments has a marked oiled on our exporls of mutton and iamb: we cannot increase our exports of million and lamb unless we have t-a II If.

II is most satisfactory to note I lie ,|,ianlily of cow beef shipped to Genoa and Glasgow during the last 12 months which lias been of great benefit to I||i* dairymen of lids Dominion.

Tin' quantity ol' pork shipped this season constitutes a record and. it is In hr hoped, marks Iho commencement of ilie real development nt our pig industry. The quality of the pork shipped has made a very favourable impression on the British market, and lias resulted in many inquiries ill the t redo. Extension of our Trade. Besides endeavouring to stimulate production and improve the condition in which mir meat is marketed, the Imard is constantly endeavouring to extend fhe channels of distribution and the opening up of new markets. l-’rom November I to May ill. our Inlet shipments of meal this season amount to i .OTO.oXO freight carcases. The hoard enlly sent a trial shipment uf pigs to liruoa, also sumo calves, lo lest the markel there, and ils Loudon manager went down to arrange for their disposal. The calves met a ready sale at satisfactory prices; Hie pigs, however, were lound io he ,-alher light for the requirements of tin- irade. and a further trial shipment of heavier pigs will he made short ly.

A trial shipment of lambs was also sent In Boston : l'.S. \.. . hut I tie reI urns were not sa lis fact nry. the prices realised 11 n I lieillii' Up In Lnlldon parti.'.

Tlmre has lately been a remarkable develnp m eid in the frozen meal trade in i • i I i 111 ‘ii l a I countries. Last ycai

I lie total importations from all sources —chiefly from South America —amounted to 459,000 tons, which was double the figures, lor 1923 (223,000 Ions) and four times the* 1922 figures (113,240 tons). . Most, of the meat imported by the Continent is beef, chiefly second gfade. This trade does not; want beef which is inclined to be fat.

Several shipments of beef have recently been made from New Zealand to Genoa, the total quantity shipped to date amounting to 221,606 freight carcases. Two years ago very few of the butchers in Italy would allow frozen meat into their shops, while now the majority stock it. As to whether the present Continental outlook is likely io.be permanent or not depends on the economic conditions of each country and the increase of its own domestic flocks and herds. All European nations, however, appear to have increased their meat diet and present indications point to an outlet for beef on the Continent, providing prices are reasonable. With a view to further developing our trade with Italy, Mr Forsyth (London manager) made a thorough investigation of the position, not only in respect to the class of meat; desired, but also in connection with the facilities for storing and handling—a full report of which lias been given to the different freezing companies in the Dominion. He noted ihat the trade has grown so rapidly that it Ims quite outpaced the facilities for storing and handling. More cold stores arc now being built, but proper insulated meat barges are required. In Mr Forsyth’s opinion, the trade in frozen meat has come lo slay, and we can look forward to Italy being a steady buyer of second-quality ox and cow beef, boneless beef, calves, and heavyweight pork, providing prices do not advance greatly in the future.

Having a producers’ representative on Itie spot making inquiries is of immense value to lids Dominion. We are thus in a position to ascortan the requirements and prospects of any particular market. Regulation of Shipments. As the board makes all freight contracts for the carriage o'f Ihe whole of the Dominion's frozen meat, it is thus able lo direct Ihe quantity of meat lliat shall be shipped each month: The board makes its shipping arangements for Hie supply of freight to stiil the killing months, and also the require monls of the Smithfield market. These'shipping arrangements must he made months before the loading dates, so as to enable tin* shipping'companies 10 provide Hie vessels. 11. will be readily realised that a great many factors m’ust lie taken into consideration before Hie board can come 1o a decision as to the amount of shipping tonnage required each month. The whole posilion must he closely surveyed, local climatic conditions having an important hearing on the position. The records of prices since the hoard commenced lo regulate supplies show how level they have been, and 11 is satisfactory to note from the report of the Royal Food Commission which has recently sal in London, that 1 in? board, through its regulation of shipments, lias succeeded in ied i in.-, II, ( . activities of speculators, which were so detrimental to our trade in the, pasl. FJueluaHons in prices do not oil the consumer and arc taken advantage of by the speculator. What the runner wants is a stabilised price for Ids product. Grading and Supervision.

During 11 1 <■ past season tilt 1 board s supervising graders have reported must favourably mi 11 1< ■ standard at' grading at Mir different works in llu: Dominion, and the value of llu.' polic> n f Du 1 hoard in sidling' the standard of grading in each dislrirl is now being realised. not only |>v farmers, but by I lie trade generally. It is also pleasing to note fro in the inspectors’ reports that there has been n great improvement in the manner m which our meal is being' handled in (tie loading of vessels in the Dominion. The improved handling at this end. combined with the many reforms which have been instituted by the

board in London, ha.s resulted in our meat being' shown on Smithlield to better advantage. The board’s London inspector, besides attending to the discharge of all refrigerated vessels, also attends all insurance surveys for damage, and he is thus in a position lo see the amount and Hie* condition of the moat damaged, and is thereby able to trace where the damage occurs. A review of the prices ruling on Smithlield during the last few years, shows a decided tendency to lightweight mutton. In previous days the difference between lightweight and heavyweight mutton was a matter of i farthings. To-day. the difference is pence per lb., so decided and empha-

tic is the preference l’or light mutton of good quality. There is always a demand for a limited amount of heavyweight mutton on Smithficld, which is more than fully supplied from other parts of the world. The quality of this heavyweight mutton is much inferior lo ours. The supply of light prime mutton from other countries is, however, only limited. NVe must, therefore, concentrate on improving the breeding of our llocks, and endeavour to meet the requirements of Smithlield by shipping lighter weight mutton.

The Down-cross iambs have now become fairly established in most districts of the Dominion, particularly in the North Island, and have made a reputation v on Smithlield for their superior quality.

It is pleasing to note that to-day in Great Britain the words “Prime Canterbury” have become, not only a trade term, hut also household words as applied to meat of tlio highest quality. The reputation of our meat is one of New Zealand’s greatest assets.

To hold our own with the competition from other countries, we must, not only increase our output, hut wc must also continue to improve the quality of our product. To stimulate the production of fat lambs most suitable for our Dominion’s export trade, and the type most desired to keep up our reputation on the London market, the hoard is offering substantial prizes each year at the Royal Agricultural Show for the best pens of fat lambs shown in a special class, each pen to consist of three lambs, each individual lamb in pen not to exceed 7*2lbs live weight. After being jtulgod alive on the show ground the lambs arc killed and shipped to Smithlield. there to be. judged by three judges appointed by the. British Incorporated Society of Meat Importers. Pork Industry. The hoard is making every effort to develop our pork industry and to encourage exportation. This year up to June 30 we have killed 35.739 pigs for (’Xpert, which is equal to 76,060 freight carcases. The prices realised for our pigs on the Smithficld market this season have been fairly satisfactory. ami it is pleasing to note the good impression the quality of our pigs has made oil the British market. | In order to encourage the. export of I pork, the- hoard has arranged with the ] shipping companies for a particularly low freight rate, viz., 7-Bths of a penny per lb. Special consideration is given by the hoard to all applicants for shipping space which is required for pork, so as to ensure that all pigs available may he shipped when required. The hoard fully recognises that if the pork industry is to he developed, shipments must arrive on the Home market dur- I ing the months when it is required. Tpe hoard's supervising graders have been specially instructed to attend to the grading of pork at the works which are killing for export, and to disseminate all information which may he helpful to the exporters.

Shipping Freights.

The reduction in shipping freights obtained by the hoard since its inceptnn may be set out as follows: — Frozen meat : 1922-23 season £57;>,000: 1923-2 1, £164,000: 1924-25, £120,000.

Tallow and pelts: 1922 and 1923, £IOB,OOO saving per season. Total saving per season, £967,000.

In addition the board secured a reduction of dairy produce for the 192324 season (representing a saving of £161.730 per season) —this was before. the Dairy Produce Control Board was established. Reduction in Costs. The policy of the hoard since its inception lias been to obtain the highest nett prices for the producers of this Dominion. Although it. may be said that some of the reductions in costs which have come into existence since llic hoard was formed, may have eventualed in Hie ordinary way. still it will he generally conceded that most of the concessions obtained would not have eventuated had it not been for the activities of the hoard, and the powers it possesses. Since its inception. the board lias obtained reductions in ocean freights amounting to £967,000 yearly. The hoard’s resolution in respect to the retention of lambs kidnevs and kidney fat, alone means a considerable gain to farmers. Freezing companies have also co-operated by substantial reductions in freezing charges. There have also been considerable reductions in insurance, i ailway rales. London charges, etc.

The reductions represent 5s 5d per 6011) sheep: 3s lld per 351bs lamb, £3 us 7d per 72<db bullock; and 9s 6d per 6Dili pig'. Full advantage is also taken of the cinema as a further advertising medium throughout Great Britain.