Congestion In Freezing Works

Grey River Argus, 9 April 1948, Page 8

Congestion In Freezing Works

CHRISTCHURCH, April 6. Because of the continued spell of dry weather and the consequent shortage of feed, farmers in Canter-i bury have been forced to dispose off their fat lambs much earlier than usual. The result has been that in the last month some of the freezing works have been heavily congested and to catch up the men have been called back to work on Saturday mornings. In some cases the full Saturday has been worked. Recent killings have been 25 per cent, more than normal. The position was accentuated when the freezing works closed on the Thursday before Easter, and did not resume killing until - the next Wednesday. In some of the works there are signs that saturation point has been reached, and it is possible that within a week or two the position) will be back to normal. Feed, which had been plentiful until the end of December, has gradually become very scarce . and this has had an adverse effect, on the quality 'of the lambs now coming forward. A bigger proportion of seconds —lighter weights—has been killed this season than for several years. Lamb markets in the province in recnt weeks have suffered because of the freezing works congestion. One firm has not bought at Addington for four weeks and three others have bought sparingly. Like the farmer, he freezing companies have now not enough feed in their paddocks to mantain the lambs in good condition until they can be slaughtered. The Oxford fat lamb sale was cancelled last week because of the congestion. A big entry had been advertised, but, before the sale the freezing companies and exporters advised the stock agents that they would not be buying. The Hawarden fat lamb sale, set down for yesterday was also postponed and will be held next Tuesday. A date has not yet been set for the next Oxford sale.