BRITISH BEEF

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1936, Page 3

BRITISH BEEF

PRODUCTION DECLINE

The official report for 1935 on the Scheme for Improvement of British Livestock, published by-the Ministry of Agriculture, confirms much of what has recently been said concerning the evils of subordinating beef to dairy farming, writes the agricultural correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph." This tendency,' says the report, has retarded the progress of the Licensing of Bulls Act (the Act that was designed to eliminate unsuitable bulls). Fewer calves are being reared, and there is a growing tendency to use Friesian, Guernsey, and other dairy bulls with cows of other breeds with only dairying objectives in view.

One result of this cross-breeding is that good quality steers for turning into beef are now difficult to obtain in areas that were once noted for them.

Sussex once produced some fine beef cattle; but it is a startling fact that a triangle, with London as its apex and Bognor and Eastbourne as its base, would not contain one premium bull. I know of people who would like to start beef production ,in Sussex tomorrow, save for two reasons.

The first is that prices obtained for fat cattle are to some extent influenced by the reputation of the district, and they hesitate at the big task of winning back the reputation that Sussex has lost.

The second is that good store stock is becoming so hard to come .by, and so much poor quality English beef is finding its way on to the market, that they fear no levy, quota, or tariff would enable it to regain its price until drastic quality regulations are introduced.

The number of premium bulls . in 1935 increased by only seven to 1476. But in other departments results have been more encouraging. The number of subsidised boars has increased to 1032 or 25 more than a year ago, and the services per boar have increased by nine to an average of 66. The number of sows served increased by 10,284 over the previous year, and a better type of baconer is. being produced by these premium sires.

Continued demand for good strong geldings for town work has also increased the number of licensed stallions. It has risen by 171 to 1687, or by 11 per cent.