THE BEEF INDUSTRY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16347, 23 May 1927, Page 7

THE BEEF INDUSTRY

MEAT BOARD’S CONCERN The- condition of the beef export trade has already given much concern to tho New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board. The continued low values of export beef have resulted in a marked decline in the amount, shipped each year, and this season tlie export of beef will be still further decreased. “For the continued prosperity of this Dominion,” stated the Meat Producers’ float'd on Friday, "wt cannot allow our beef export trade to decline, as it would Have a very marked effect, not only on our sheep-farming industry, but also on our dairying. For the development, of our country we must have cattle, otherwise land m many districts would deteriorate, with the consequent reduction in capacity. This would bo reflected in a reduction of our exports of mutton and lamb, and would mean less money coming into this country. “With the increasing use ofl phosphatio manures for top-dressing, the need of cattle is becoming more pronounced each year for keeping pastures in proper order, and at present there is country fvhich is steadily’ deteriorating owing to the lack of cattle. The board has been investigating the whole 'position in an endeavor to formulate some remedial measures, and it is looking into tho Patterson scheme, as instituted by the Australian dairymen in connection with the butter industry- there, to. see whether a scheme somewhat, on these lines could be applied to the beef industry of this Dominion. “This country’s greatest assets are its livestock industries, and if we are to develop these industries—as our beef export trade is interwoven with our sheep and dairying industries—we cannot, under any circumstances, allow our beef production to decline.”