Report of the Department of Agriculture. 497 



exporting countries; tlie former, liowever, coiikl import only 186,000 

 tont> in 1921 ag-ainst ■300,000 in 1920. Tbe exchange difficnlty lurtlier 

 complicated the situation. 



Export has become an urgent necessity, in view of the rapid 

 increase in the number of cattle. Moreover, large sums of money 

 have been invested by exporting firms. A great combined effort is 

 required to find an outlet for our surplus, but this cannot be done 

 unless by some means our cattle can be placed on the European 

 markets at world prices and therefore in competition with other 

 countries. Conditions of farming in this country render such compe- 

 tition most difficult, because large numbers of cattle used for draught 

 purposes and owned by natives are not available when they are of 

 tlie age most suitable for marketing, while the comparative absence 

 of feeding and recurring droughts are the cause of unstable prices, 

 often in excess of world prices. The ultimate solution seems to lie 

 in organization both of the trade side and of the producers' side and 

 in education, with a view to reducing the cost of production, for 

 instance, by the elimination of "scrub" bulls; by the breeding of 

 heavier types of slaughter cattle to give greater weigdit for the same 

 outlay ; by feeding types which will pay for feeding, thereby making 

 cattle available lor slaughter throughout the year; and by better flay- 

 ing of hides and branding of cattle to secur'e higher prices for hides. 



29. Butter.— The production of butter in 1920-1921 was 

 18,963,073 lb. as compared with 17,809,287 lb. in 1919-1920. Since 

 1916 biitter (including ships' stores) was exported to the following 

 extent:— 1916, 1,586,572 lb.; 1917, 3,111,821 lb.; 1918, 

 1,544,000 lb.; 1919, 512,588 lb.; 1920, 487,876 lb.; 1921, 

 2,698,201 11). Since January, 1922, 1,273,054 lb. were exported. It 

 is improbable that any further appreciable export will take place in 

 1922. 



There have been great fluctuations in recent years as regards 

 prices and production. Such variations are not in the interests of the 

 industry. During the latter part of the war the Imperial Govern- 

 ment purchased large quantities at reinunerative prices. With the 

 decontrol of butter by the Imperial Government trade conditions 

 changed. The South African product had now to compete oversea 

 with butter from other countries. In January, February, and March, 

 1922, unprecedently low prices were paid for butter-fat. Production 

 in excess of local requirements necessitated export of the surplus, 

 even at a loss. The events which followed are detailed by the Superin- 

 tendent of Dairying. His remarks as t(v what is necessary to enable 

 South Africa to compete in the oversea markets require careful atten- 

 tion by those immediately interested. 



Regulations have been introduced for grading and inspection of 

 export butter. These have worked smoothly and satisfactorily, and 

 appear to be on the right lines. 



30. Cheese. — Since 1916 the following exports (including ships' 

 stores) have taken place:— 1916, 36,088 lb.; 1917, 110,555 lb.; 1918, 

 487,872 lb.; 1919, 1,560,782 lb.; 1920, 314,301 lb.; 1921, 458,698 lb. 



Cheese-making has developed satistactorily, and cheese of high 

 quality is being produced. At the same time the Superintendent of 

 Dairying points out that far too great a percentage of indifferent 

 tcheese is still being made, owing to lack of experience. 



