FROZEN MEAT KILLINGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1938, Page 3

FROZEN MEAT KILLINGS

RETURNS FOR SIX MONTHS. BIG INCREASE IN EWES. The notable feature of the killings for export for the first six months of the year has been the increase of ewes, this feature concerning both Islands. To the end of March, ewe killings are 809,539, as against 498,238 for the corresponding period last year, an increase of approximately 60 percent. The increase was actually much bigger in proportion in the North Island than in the South, from which it may be assumed that the high prices of ewes last year had a general effect in keeping aged ewes on the farms unduly long. Wethers show a minorincrease in the North Island—approximately 44,000—the number accounted for being 648,662. In marked contrast to this is the comparatively small killings of wethers in..the South Island — only 65,815 —which, nevertheless, represents more than a 50 per cent increase. Lamb killings are only a degree bigger in the North Island than they were last year—about 5000 —but in the South Island they have shown a surprising increase—actually, 456,000. Whilst the North Island season for lamb is nearing an end, there is still another two months for the South Island works to operate, and perhaps the present increase will be substantially reduced. Lambs were sent to the factories earlier this year than usual on account of the fear of ailments, and as a result below the normal weight. Whilst the southern season has been a satisfactory one for fattening up to last month, the position has markedly altered recently on account of the comparative failure of the root crops. Another interesting feature of the return is that bacon and pork have apparently reached their peak. Porkers have increased by only 4000 carcases, and baconers have actually declined by slightly more than 11,000. This development may be partly due to the change over from the dairying to mixed stock farming in some North Island dairying districts. A less satisfactory feature of the return is the substantial increase in the quantity of stocks on hand. Lambs show nearly 500,000 carcases in comparison with the figures of last year, ewes 128,000, and wethers 40,000. These increased stocks, however, no more than offset the increased killings, and if the end of the season figures do not maintain the present increase—which at the moment is unlikely—there should be no need to worry over the present heavy stocks.