THE CATTLE QUESTION FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Southland Times, Issue 18968, 15 June 1923, Page 10

THE CATTLE QUESTION FOR NEW ZEALAND.

To the Editor. Sir, —As one who travels a good deal, through Southland in particular, I am impelled to say how plain it is to note the scarcity of well bred one, two and three-year-old cattle, particularly steers, which must in the very near future militate against this countiy’s interests unless we run for local requirements and are prepared to be satisfied with nothing but old cows as our mainstay for beef. I was quite recently confirmed in my observations by a buyer from the north (a friend of mine) quite failing to pick up a line of any size of well-bred two or three-year-old steers and returning north, having been unable to secure the age and quality he wanted. Now, as I believe the scrub bull is becoming eliminated, I would urge fanners and breeders to strain a point to rear more steer calves of the right sort this incoming season and, should the supply exceed the demand, export them in the form of baby beef, which, when once recognised and known in the Home markets would, I feel sure, be so highly appreciated as is our Ismb. But as long as we send nothing but aged bullocks, bulls and old cows, so long will New Zealand beef be taboo. I do not advocate the export of veal exactly, as any I have ever sent Home has suffered severely by its deterioration in the colour of the flesh, but real prime 18 to 24 months’ steers or heifers would, I feel sure, induce consumers to pay high for our beef, instead of having the old stuff we send a glut on the various markets at Home. I am, etc., AGRICOLA.