Loyalty to meat companies is paying dividends this year, according to South Otago farmer Ken McRae.
Mr McRae approached the Otago Daily Times this week in response to reports about farmers having difficulty getting stock killed, saying that by staying loyal to PPCS he has had no problems getting space.
"I know what I'm doing and they know I've had ewes killed that same week for the last five to eight years.''
Mr McRae, who farms at Greenfield, said farmers who had been enticed by price to sell to traders or other companies in previous years were paying for that lack of loyalty this year when feed was short and space at meat works was tight.
Three years ago he came close to selling to traders and other companies for better money. He said it cost him $5 to $6 a lamb, but staying loyal had paid off this year.
"This year we've won.''
Space for his cull ewes was arranged in early spring and they have long gone, and he has been able to kill lambs every three weeks.