The numbers of psychrotrophic fungi in various environments have been investigated as these fungi are potential meat spoilage organisms, carried into the freezing works on stock awaiting slaughter. Of a number of soils examined, those from urban and high-altitude areascontained the fewest psychrotrophic fungi. In rural soil samples the total psychrotrophic fungal population varied with the stocking intensity in the paddocks from which samples were obtained. Highest fungal counts were obtained for soils from stockyards. Cowhair, wool,and sheepskin all contained a variety of psychrotrophic species in moderate numbers.