FAT LAMB TRADE

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19882, 11 May 1936, Page 14

FAT LAMB TRADE

AUSTRALIA'S EXPORTS. How long will we be allowed to to on increasing our fat-lamb export to Great Britain? Last year we exceeded the 1934 figures by 600.000 caresses. and “e are told that. for the present, all \\e can send will find a market: but there must be a limit, and “hen we reach it what will happen? asks a writer in the AustralIslam. The reason for Australia‘s increased export of lamb caresses to Smithfield is not hard to find. Several years 01 low wool prices were responsible for hundreds of growers utilising their holdings for the production of something that offered rea—sonable chances of profit. Values at Smithiield l‘or lamb carcases dur—ing the past few years have proved highly satisfactory to the majority 0! fat lamb producers. and that consumors have appreciated the quality or the lambs l‘orwarded is evident trom the numbers that have been sold in that market. Returns show that trom July to Decembcer, 1935, over 3,100,000 lamb carcases from Australia were absorbed in the markets of Great Britain. The position confronting present-day and intending producers is not one of Whether priCes will hold, but rather one of the possibilities of restrictions being applied by Britain. In comparison with beet, values tor lamb abroad are at a high parity, and lower though they may be for Australian as against New Zealand lamb. there is ample evidence that they have been satisfactory to the majority of those producers who of recent years have transferred their activities from wheat or wool growing Ind gone Wholeheartedly into the busi‘ ness oil producing lambs. It is doubtlul if greatest optimist of. a decade use could have torseen Australia's export numbers reaching anything approaching three million caresses. The question is it‘ Wisdom will be displayed in carrying on production without some degree oil restraint being applied. Every market has its antural limits, but apart train that, political minds in England bent on lostu’ing home production, are antagonistic towards unrestricted importations Irom [he Dominions. How tar and for how long will our increasing export of fat lambs be tolerated? it we are racing .tmvards the peak It is certain that pressure will be brought v.O hear at Home, and restrictions may come into force nith short warning. Better to keep our exports within reasonable limit by common assent than be ultimately checked by compulsion. The day will come when values at Home will fall. and. in order to prev pnre for such. fat-lumb producers should incline to the doctrine that caresses and wool go hand‘inhand: then. i! lamb values slump. there it uwnys the chance of wool returns lrom dual—purpose sheep coming to the rescue. Too many tar-removed crosses nave entered into the fatlamb producing industry, and With pelt values for such almost negligible high quality caresses are necessary to compensate, There is nothing to prevent producers cultivating types in which wool will be neglected for carcase. and vice versa. 11, however in View of possible restrictions and lower values for lamb caresses. the tat-lamb industry is to remain solvent when the pinch comes. it is imperative ior wool to be a greater consideration than it is at present. Mixed types of breeders must be culled out. and better pelt valuo otriven (or without carcase quality being impaired. Those Who do concentrate on cultivating dual-purpose sheep know full well the benefits so derived. A “breed better lamb" campaign is needed.