EXPORT LAMBS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1943, Page 6

EXPORT LAMBS

OPENING SCHEDULES HEAVIER WEIGHTS WANTED ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The opening schedules for export lambs, agreed upon between the Government and the Meat Board, were announced last night by the Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, Mr B. Roberts. The prices, which take effect immediately, are as follows:— Price per lb. on hooks. d. Prime Down cross 2’s, 23/36 .... SiPrime Down cross B’s, 37/42 8§ Prime Down cross 4’s, 43/50 .... 75 Prime Down cross tegs, 51/56 .... 7} Prime Canterbury 2’s, 23/36 SiPrime Canterbury B’s, 37/42 83 Prime Canterbury 4’s, 43/50 7ii Prime Canterbury tegs, 51/56 .... 7| Prime crossbred 2’s, 23/36 8/ Prime crossbred B’s, 37/42 SiPrime crossbred 4’s, 43/50 7J Prime crossbred tegs, 51/56 7 Second quality, 23/36 75 Second quality, 37/42 73 Second quality, 43/50 7

Commenting on these schedules, Mr Roberts stated that all lightweight lambs (23-361 b. remained at the same opening prices as last year. For the heavier grades (37-561 b. the price had been adjusted so as to remove the anomaly introduced in 1941-42 under which the producer was penalised for his extra effort, and received a smaller return when he lifted his lambs from the lighter to the heavier classes. “The object of the adjustment is not only to remove this anomaly, but also to recompense the farmer for additional costs and effort in increasing the weights of lambs in response to the urgent request of the United Kingdom for heavier shipments of meat,” said Mr Roberts.

“The Meat .Board, which has been in close consultation with the Government on this matter, has undertaken to organise a campaign to increase the average weight of sheep and lamb carcases, in order to assist in meeting the needs of the United Kingdom. “I need hardly add that a campaign with such a laudable object has the full support and approval of the Government. I confidently appeal to all producers, and to all others associated with the meat export industry in its various phases of production, transport and processing, to take every step possible jto achieve the desired /result.” Mr Roberts added that the changes in the buying schedules would be reflected in corresponding movements in the Marketing Department’s f.o.b. purchase prices for frozen lamb, and that the additional cost would be borne by the Meat Pool Account.

The Minister said he hoped to be in a position to announce the opening prices for wethers, ewes and beef at an early date.