BEEF SUPPLIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 41, 17 August 1942, Page 3

BEEF SUPPLIES

SHORTAGE POSSIBLE

APPEAL TO GROWERS

With the increased beef slaughterings and the increased demands likely to be made for beef supplies by the armed forces, the supply of beef cattle may fall short of requirements. An appeal was made today by the Minister of Primary Production for' War: Purposes ■- (Mr. Poison) to beef producers to make a special effort to

meet- this situation.

"Taking ;irito consideration,the. heavy increases. in export beef; killings during the past two seasons,, together, .with 1 increased ■ local and' armed' "forces';, demand,- it is reasonable;to,assume v,that further demands .'for {increased,: production of beef-for internal requirements in New Zealand can: be met only •by a curtailment' of .export beef,", saidvthe Minister. ; "This".-would be most unfortunate and must' be avoided;, if possible. 'It 'therefore- becomes riecessary in the national unterest to .appeal; to^runhblders^ and I producers 1 of -beef'j.cattie to use - everyfendeavqur >to.'maintain the;.breedirig,:capacity !of ■<. their:1 herds, i and' to •"increase them'where.,-possible, in .order! to meet wartinie 'requirements adequately." \'"\- ' . ' :•,;.'; , '■■.- :.:':Vealer^ai.ves;'.; .:/.'.' .'I ■ "The demand^for;'beef "of all 'types is likely to 'betcorisiderably increased, consequently.; the,; appeal '.is; also .'made to dairy farmers >~ who -are in. a'position to' : produce* ,an • increased number of vealer calves;' If -the. most suitable calves .for' the;; 'production of ,'veal could.be, selectedVeitMer from thejdairy farrner^s' own herd. or. • obtain t epV",-fi'6m a neighbbur'S; herd,, icomprising;; any crossbred calves•;where]; .aI,bull ofibeef •type ,: has, been; used,', it. \yqiild jbe of assistance.. ,The .'veal requifemerjt is expected to be \in "excess of. present production/: and'vdairy, farmers : might, where ;ppssiblp,. utilise cows .which would 'otherwise-!■ be - culled : ; next-year from thehevd :for the production of ■vealer;..; calves.-.' •■ If , suitable vealer calves- are, [pro.duced;. in sufficient quantity, the.increased- demand ' for veal could, be;metvvand. ranyi. surplus would be available to be carried on to^beef stage.- v ~-,:'.;.■.•■,•■•.. r:>«--;;.-,^."- .. j

'•'lf. sheep -farmers will.endeavour to increase eyen w slightly. ,tlxe. number of cattle normally run on their 'sheep country, ' they will: be. ' >rriakiiig a valuable' contribution" to' the "war effort:" '•■-■-'- 'V