N.Z'S BEEF INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1927, Page 4

N.Z'S BEEF INDUSTRY

The f.-o ncl it ion ni' our beef export lias always given niiicli concern to the New Zealand 3leai .Producers’ Board. The eonlilined low values of export beef have resulted in a marked decline in the amount shipped each year, and this season our export of hoof will be stii further decreased.

For the continued prosperity of this Dominion we cannot allow our beef export trade to decline, as it won’t; have a very marked effect, not only on our sheep farming industry, hut also on our dairying. For the' development of our country we must have ■cattle, otherwise land in many districts would deteriorate, with the consequent reduction in sheep carrying capacity. This would lie reflected in a reduction of our exports of nm and lamb, and would mean less money coming into the c uintry. With the increasing use of pliospliatic inanities 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 which is steadily deteriorating owing to the lack of cattle. The Board has been investigating the whole position in an endeavour to formulate some remedial measures, and it is looking into the Patterson Scheme, as instituted by the Australian dairymen in connection with the butter industry there, to see whether a scheme somewhat on those linos could he applied to the heel' industry in the 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 witli our shoe]) an ddairying industries—-we" cannot. under any 'circumstances allow our beef production to decline.