BRUISED CATTLE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 26 November 1927, Page 12

BRUISED CATTLE

According to Mr R. P. Allen, Chiet Veterinary Officer of the Commonwealth Government the loss caused by bruises on cattle scut to the meat works in Queensland probably averages £1,006.660 a year in normal seasons. This matter of bruising has been discussed in Queensland for tho last several years, and graziers are (says ‘‘Country Life") of tlie opinion iliat the handling on the railways is main ly responsible. Unquestionably there is serious loss, aud besides results in unattractive looking beef being exhibited on the English market. Mr Allen, discussing tho mutter in Brisbane recently, said tho question was one of vital importance to tho cattle industry and bruising was in creasing to sucii an extent that it was becoming serious to the cattle-raiser. Intransport by rail, bruising occurred to the extent of 7 per cent., and by road, one per cent. An average loss of 7 per cent, meant a loss of more than £l,OOO 600 a year in normal killing seasons. Mr Allen did not blame the Rail way Department, as a great deal of bruising, ho said, occurred in the ‘trucking’ yards. The responsibility lay equally between graziers and the rail ways. He advocated de-horning as a mean* of minimising the danger of bruising He added that conditions tn the Sulf Country were good, but the drought in the west had seriously set back tbo industry.