WORTH £700,000

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19999, 26 July 1939, Page 4

WORTH £700,000

CHILLED BEEF TRADE INCREASING IMPORTANCE IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY CAREFUL RECORDS KEPT (Special to the Herald.) WELINLGTON, this day. The increasing importance of the chilled beef .trade to the Dominion is referred to in the Meat Board’s annual report, winch states that according to official statistics 'the value of chilled beef exported during the 12 months ended March 31 was £708,069. Commencing in the 1933-34 season, the chilled beef export trade developed rapidly, and the follovying ligures showing exports to the United Kingdom were given to indicate the expansion .that had taken place:— Quarters 1933- 19,576 1934- 64,514 1935- 144,169 1936- 201,105 1937- 237,186 1938- (,to May 31) 192,938 It. was. anticipated" that -The;, 4 total shipments for ■ the 1933-39 season would reach 280,000 quarters. Great Potentialities “Now that our export of chilled-beef has become such an important part of our meat trade, and also haying regard to its further great potentialities, the board would again stress to farmers the importance of continued efforts being made to still further improve the quality of the chiller cattle they are breeding. Improved breeding, and well-finished cattle, together with more regular monthly supplies, will greatly assist in developing this trade along the right lines. “Thorough wintering of cattle intended for slaughter in the following season will enable them to .be fattened earlier and spread more evenly over the season. The object Should be to avoid the rush of chillers usually available during the peak months from the middle of March to the end of April. It is recognised that there will always be more cattle available during the peak period, but it. is almost impossible for -the shipping companies to cope with an abnormal rush, as the chilling accommodation of tire vessels which are equipped to carry chilled beef is limited. “In addition, it should be remembered that the trade in London requires a steady flow of supplies, and not abnormal quantities in one short period. Furthermore, chilled beef always maintains ia more regular price during the cooler months in England. “The question of greater regularity in the arrival of our chilled beef at Home is of vital importance, and is a matter which is receiving the close attention of the board and the shipping companies. The board has emphasised the need for more vessels to be equipped with chilled beef chambers, particularly the modern, faster vessels, which will give greater regularity in arrivals and also reduce the length of time the meat is in transit. No Weak Links “In the recent freight discussions with tire shipping companies, the board laid down certain specific requirements with a view to ensuring regular arrivals of chilled beef, with the shortest -possible time between loading In New Zealand and discharge in. London. “It must not be overlooked that the chilled -beet trade involves special handling at the freezing works, specially equipped railway wagons for transport to 'the vessels, and furthermore, only suitable fast vessels, with specially -designed chambers, can carry chilled beef. Every endeavour is being made -to increase these facilities

“It is most necessary in this highly specialised trade, that we have no weak links between the producer in New Zealand and the consumer in Great Britain, and it is therefore essential that no delays occur in loading on the New Zealand waterfronts.” Complete Records Kept At a conference of engineers associated with the various freezing works for the purpose of discussing technical aspects with a view to further improving the out-turn of meat when displayed on the English markets, much valuable information was made generally available, and points raised had been submitted to the Cambridge Low Temperature Research Station, which had given its replies. “Complete records are now being kept by the board .of each chilled beef shipment, as applying to the vital links in the chain ol' operation,” tire report proceeded, “commencing from the entry of the cattle into the freezing works’ yards .to the ship’s side. Shipping reports are made by the board’s officers on the condition of each lot of Chilled beef shipped, giving particulars of temperatures of ship’s holds, bone temperatures ot meat, stowage, etc. “This is followed up by reports on the discharge of the vessel, giving the condition of each shipment as it arrives and also comments by the importers themselves on the condition of each consignment. This gives a complete history of every shipment, and it is hoped by careful analysis' of these records to improve the outturn in the United Kingdom.”