Auckland's Beef Herds

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 690, 15 June 1929, Page 29

Auckland's Beef Herds

BETTER BULLS WANTED RECENT figures compiled by the Department of Agriculture show clearly that beef-raising is not a dying industry m the Auckland Province. There is, in fact, every indication that the industry, in common with other lines of primary production throughout the province, is starting on a new era of prosperity. Returns of the beef herds are on the up grade, while there is a decided move in certain quarters to pav increased attention to quality breeding.

By many, outside the province, Auckland is looked upon as a dairying district with no interest in beefraising. Yet, 14 is not generally realised that South Auckland comes second on the list of New Zealand land districts with numbers of beef cattle. The Wellington land district is first, with Gisborne third, and North Auckland fourth. Well over half a million head of beef cattle are pastured on Auckland provincial farm lands, according to the latest returns. Although, in many parts, beef-rais-ing is looked upon as a side issue to dairying, there is a strong section of farming interets which regards beefraising as an important staple industry. This has been especially so since top-dressing manures have come into greater use. During the past year or so, farmers have also been paying greater attention to quality in their beef herds. This was instanced only last week when two 250-guinea bulls went North from a well-known Wanganui Hereford breeder to the order of a Hokianga grazier. A few years ago talk of such high prices in connection with the North would have given rise to justifiable scepticism. What Auckland graziers are doing in beef-raising can be seen practically every week by visitors to the Westfield stock sale. Although, admittedly, the greater part of the beef yarding is often made up of culls from the dairy herds of the province, every week sees even lines of splendid types af beef cattle drawn from over a wide area. Last week, in particular, there

j was a line of 82 Aberdeen Angus cattle ] forward which visitors from outside I considered equal in quality to any- | thing they had seen elsewhere in the Dominion. Yet, these cattle were not j the best that Westfield has drawn for | a Wednesday’s sale. Every now and , then, special lines of exceptionally choice quality cattle come forward, testifying in no uncertain manner to the productivity of the province. One of the lessons taught in the Westfield yards could well be given heed to by graziers throughout the province, however. Quality breeding always draws premium prices. Whenever a straight even line of beef cattle is put up under the hammer it inevitably brings a comparatively higher price than an uneven line of mixedbred cattle, however well finished the cattle may be. Among the breeds particularly favoured by the buyers, the Aberdeen Angus holds a high place. In fact, the demand for this class of beast is sufficient to warrant considerably greater attention being paid to the breed. Not only is it the type of beef animal most desired by the New Zealand butcher; it is also the type demanded by discriminating buyers on the home market. Several factors stand in favour of the Aberdeen Angus breed. Firstly, they are early maturing, and can be placed on the market profitably before practically any other breed. Secondly, they are most economically built—low set to the ground, they carry meat on practically every part; there is little waste. Thirdly, and by no means last, when they are offered in a yard-

ing of mixed-bred cattle, they make a great showing when penned up in even lines for the buyers. Despite the talk of the pessimists, there is an assured near future market for beef on certain levels. The Auckland home market is growing every year. Thus there is every justification for the contention that Auckland breeders should not be satisfied with having the greatest number of beef cattle in the Dominion, but should pay greater attention to quality, breeding always with an eye toward the type of beast most favoured by the buyer, both in New Zealand and overseas. During the next decade great strides will be made in the beef-raising industry throughout the province. Top-

dressing and better farming methods will make that possible. It is to be hoped that many will follow in the footsteps of the North Auckland farmer of last w r eek, and that the introduction of better bulls will bring about a big improvement in the quality of the beef sent on to the market. All will not be able to pay 250gns. for a sire, but few will not be able to improve on the bulls used at present. The results will more than justify the increased expenditure.