BOBBY CALF TRADE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20056, 30 September 1939, Page 11

BOBBY CALF TRADE

INCREASED COLLECTIONS

AVERAGE WEIGHT LOWER

Interviewed regarding his as'-ocia-tion's bobby call activities .for the current season, Mr. W. A. Phillips, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association, Limited, slated that li v company's total collections to the end of August amounted to over 13(>,0G0, which represents an increase on last year’s collections to the same date •'.■i' over 3000 calves.

“Altogether,” continued Mr. Phillips, “40 pools spread over most districts in both Islands are marketing their product through our company this year. Apart from the collections from these sources, the company is, as usual, drawing supplies from practically all non-pool areas in both Islands.

“Speaking generally,” said 'Mr. Phillips, “it is already apparent that New Zealand’s total killings will show a further considerable fall this year, while another interesting feature of this season’s operations is the marked drop in the average weight of calves slaughtered. This is doubtless due to the bad wintering conditions experienced this year, which naturally militated against a good-conditioned product.” On market conditions, Mr. Phillips stated that on the whole the results so far obtained were satisfactory, and at most points where competition for killings was keenest the prices Obtained would indicate a more favourable market than last year.

When asked to comment on th& probable effect on values for the remainder of the season resulting from the Government’s requisition of all export meats, he stated that this was still an unknown quantity and must remain so pending an official declaration by the Government in respect of the price at which bobby veal and its by-products, if any, would be taken over by the British authorities. “It is hoped, however,” continued Mr. Phillips, -‘that this aspect of the position, including the relative effect upon other-classes of meat, would be 'clarified within the next few days. In the. .meantime, however, it may be accepted as a foregone conclusion that there will be no quibble from the producer or any section of the trade in whatever jaction may -be taken to meet the wishes of the Motherland in her present crisis.”