Reduction of Stocks and Herds Undesirable

In a notice to farmers the Board of Agriculture say attention has been drawn to the fact that prevailing conditions are causing farmers to experience difficulty in maintaining a normal standard of production of their holdings, especially with regard to live stock. Shortage of labour and increased cost of feeding stuffs and high prices are tempting farmers to make immediate profit at the expense of future output. Many breeders are marketing stock before maturity, and several dairy farmers are reducing or disposing of herds to a regrettable extent. The slaughter of female animals suitable for breeding is particularly undesirable. The Board possess strong evidence that there is a tendency to fatten an unusual number of heifers, ewes and sows, and to send cows in calf and sows in pig to the butcher. This practice, if general, would seriously reduce flocks and herds. The Board trust that the production of milk for market will remain a primary consideration, and with this object the employment of women milkers might be greatly extended. The cost of pig feeding might be reduced by allowing them to run on grass. Another matter brought to the notice of the Board was the intention of some farmers to reduce the area of grass to be mown for hay. Any action of the kind would be most regrettable when the needs of the farm have to be considered, and also supplies for the army, which must be maintained at all costs.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915