CHILLED BEEF

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 67, 11 December 1937, Page 16

CHILLED BEEF

Growth of the Trade in New Zealand FARM REVENUE RISES An outstanding achievement in New Zealand's recent farming history has been the development of the chilled beef trade, writes the New Zealand correspondent of Stock and Land. Chilled beef production in the Dominion is growing rapidly. There has been but a slight increase in the total production of b:ef, however, as the cattle killed for chilling have been diverted from freezing. For the current season, our beef exports have comprised 49^ per cent. chilled to 50J per cent. frozen, says the correspondent. Five years ago 100 per cent. was frozen. The first shipment made was one of 474 quarters, in February, 1933. but only during the last two years ha-, tho trade really "got on ' its feet." During that period all engaged in beef cattle production have concentrated their ^fforts to providing chillers. To-day, the chiller trade almost dominates the breeding, growing, selling and fatteaing of beef cattle in this Dominion. Young Cattle ln Favour. ! Recently I attended one of the largest spring cattle fairs in this country. This was at Feilding, where the entry exceeded 4w0 hv.» ^-bout one half -f the entry consisted of yearling steers, being sold by breeders on the hill country to fatteners on the rieh lowland pastures. The top quality yearling steers sold at . -W-; other top lines made £7 11/-, £7 13/-, and £7 14/-. Fair average lines made £6 10/- to £7. Seconds sold at £o ^/- for thv, cn ^apest up to £6 6/-. By comparison, the highest price paid for fully-grown, well-hred and forwardconditioned bullocks was £10 19/8. Good three-year-olds made to £10 10/and from £9 2/- for backward-condi-tioned beasts. For two-year cattle, values were from £8 5/- to £9 9/-. For good lines, but not outstanding oncs, values may be stated at: — Yearlings £7, - wo-year-old £8 10/-, three-year-old £10. During the last season good average lines of chillers returned fatteners £11 5/- a head net, on the farin basis. The entry as a whole was a, typical one for most North Island cattle districts; the New Zealand cattle industry is really a North Island industry. Quite half the cattle were pure AberdeenAngus and another quarter to a third were iirst-cross of this breed, principally Herefords. This cross, often spoken of as " white-f aces," is most in favour, generally making a little more than the popular Aberdeen-Angus. The prime reason for the popularity of the latter breed is its ability to winter well on grass alone. Increased Breeding.

From all districts come reports of increased carrying of cattle and an even greater proportionate increase in the numbers of breeding stock. Without increased breeding our chilled beef production would early have reached a liinit. Probably this limit would have been attained by the end of 1938. Last season's calf production, however, showed almost a 20 per cent. increase compared with the previous average, and this season's should show a further substantial increase. Recently in Hawke's Bay I came across a striking example of changed poliey. On a sheep property of 1600 acres it is proposed to run 200 breeding cows; a few years ago only steers were carried. Stud breeders offering good constitutioned "typey" bulls are reaping a harvest, as beef breeders willingly pay high to get quality, from 40gns. to 70gns. being paid by those desirous of building up a good herd of breeding stock. It is almost a tradition in New Zealand faaming to considcr cattle as "grpss-niowers." To most graziers they represented an emnomic means of keeping pastures in order for sheep-graziug. Free grazing was generally readily obtainable for two-thirds of the year. Cases were even known where pastoralists have paid cattle owners to graze their properties. In oue case 3d weekly was so paid for 400 cattl8 for three summer months. This attitude still obtains to a considerable extent, but is rapidly giving way to an appreciation of the value of cattle as revenue producers. This is fortunate for breeders, as otherwise they would be faced with a glutted market for their expanded production of young cattle. The position cbtaining, however, is that the production and deinand are expanding in 1; armony. Fatteners look to a continuous supply of well-bred, young cattle whijh they buy as yearlings or two-year-olds. Tliese they turn off prime at two and a half to three years old, such cattle killing from 6501b up to 7501b dressed weight. On one intensive fat lamb farm of my acquaintance, this policy is retruning a net profit of 11/- an aere yearly, without any loss to the sheep aceount. Over a wide area it is found that progressive sheep farmers are stocking up with cattle to a degree never before known. As high as a beast to four acres is found in several instances and occasionally one beast to three acres during summer. 50,000 Head Chilled. For the season just closed, approximately 50,000 head of cattle have been chilled. A reasonable forecast of the industry's expansion is that 190,000 more cattle will be kllled as ehiller3 in perhaps seven to ten years. ThuSj even at is maximuin expanticn New Zealand's production is unlikely to reach 250,000 head, and an export of Under 1,50 '.OOOewt. . represcnts a probable iaaxintum. That quan'ity, 75,000 toi i.-ould not loom, large in Britain'* trade, \V> f**l

that, for that reason, our expansion will be allowed to proceed nnehecked. The opportunity to so expand production, without any fear of a quota, is greatly welcomed. The increased return to our farm revenue is £1,500,000. That is not a great sum by comparison with our fat lamb, wool and dairy produce returns, But it is au additional return, obtainable at practically no capital cost. New Zealand pastoralists, generally, are keenly interested in chilled beef. Great elforts are being made to improve the quality of cattle bred and the wintering of store cattle. Early maturing types are being sought after, both by stud breeders and by purchasers of fattening stock. A very considerable improvement in the quality of New Zealand chilled beef may be expected. We aifh, if possible, to attain Argentine quality.