EXPORT OF BABY VEAL

Southland Times, Issue 21093, 27 May 1930, Page 3

EXPORT OF BABY VEAL

REVIEW OF THE YEAR. FORMATION OF DOMINION ORGANIZ-e ATION. In the course of the annual report of the South Island Dairy Association there appears the following reference to the export of, “bobby” calves: The scheme for the disposal of surplus calves which met with such conspicuous success - when it was tried out in Southland two years ago, was again carried out last season. As in the previous year, three separate “pools” were conducted, in Southland, in South Otago, and South Canterbury respectively, and the results have been highly satisfactory. Approximately 23,800 calves were dealt with altogether, and it is a noteworthy fact that of the total number delivered only 199 were rejected by the Government Veterinary Officers as being not up to the required standard. This works out - at .83 per cent, and when it is considered that in the first year 1069 calves were rejected out of 19,347, equal to 5.5 per cent., we get ample proof of the efficacy of the “tagging” system, introduced by the Southland Committee last year, and since adopted throughout the Dominion, by means of which the owners of rejected calves can be identified and payment made to them for the value of the hides only. We have in this illustration, by the way, a strong argument, for the need for a compulsory, system of milk grading. About twelve pionths ago a meeting was arranged, and held in Wellington, of representatives of all the co-operative interests concerned in this business in the Dominion, with the view of considering the advisability of “pooling” the whole of their resources, with particular application to the disposal of the hides, veal, and offal. To combine the various interests-a company was subsequently formed entitled the Dominion Cooperative Farm Products Federation, Limited, and after tenders had been invited for the purchase of the hides and the veal, sales of the whole output of these products were made at satisfactory prices. Owing to the large drop which had taken place in the market value of all hides, it was not possible to obtain anything like the price which was got the previous year, but under the circumstances an excellent sale was effected. The veal was disposed of at a higher figure than obtained previously. It was decided to forward the offals on consignment in equal quantities to each of two London firms, and the results secured have been quite satisfactory. The veils were all disposed of to the New Zealand Cooperative Rennctt Company. The suppliers to the South Canterbury Pool hav.e received a net return of 8/- per'head. It has not yet been possible to finalize the accounts for the Southland and South Otago pools, but this will be done on an early date, when it is expected that the net returns to the suppliers concerned will amount to 8/6 and 8/9 per head respectively. .The suppliers of rejected calves received a payment of 4/- per head. There is a diversity of opinion whether or not the advantages to be gained by a combination of interests are outweighed by' the disadvantages which such a scheme imposes upon the producers in the south. The Calves Committee, however, will no doubt deal with this aspect in their report, which will be circulated amongst you in due course. The average weight of the hides is certainly much higher down here than in the north, and the quality better, and for these reasons should command better prices. At an early meeting of the combined interests it was agreed that the hides from the south should carry a premium of 4d each, but this resolution was rescinded at a subsequent meeting.