m THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



in the importation of the increased supplies required by the 

 Allied Armies now operating in Italy. 



Notes on Various Sources or Supply 



" United Kingdom. — On paper, the herds and flocks of this 

 country were in a satisfactory position when the usual annual 

 census was taken on 4th June, 1917, by the Board of Agricul- 

 ture. The number of cattle at that date was 12,381,186 head, 

 compared with 12,451,540 head in June, 1916, a reduction of 

 only 0-5 per cent from the largest total on record. In the case 

 of sheep the figures were 27,867,244 in 1917, against 28,849,655 

 in 1916 — a reduction of 3-4 per cent from one of the best years 

 of the present century. 



" Australia. — Weather conditions continued to be highly 

 favourable in all parts of the Commonwealth, and stock gener- 

 ally are in good fettle. Nevertheless, exports of beef were con- 

 siderably lighter than was anticipated, disastrous droughts two 

 years previously having materially reduced , the herds in 

 Queensland. Mutton was shipped in restricted volume because 

 so many graziers, anxious to replenish their flocks, were ready 

 to pay prices for stock beyond the moderate limits imposed 

 upon the freezing works by their contract with the British 

 Government. The works, however, have taken these opera- 

 tions philosophically, realising that they mean larger supplies 

 of freezers for them in the near future. 



" The total export output of beef, mutton and lamb in 1917 

 from all the Australian works was 118,540 tons, of which 

 108,740 tons were beef, and only 9800 tons mutton and lamb. 

 This meat was all shipped for the United Kingdom, except 

 5530 tons. In 1916 the total export was 104,000 tons ; in 1915, 

 132,090 tons ; and in 1914, 171,200 tons. 



" Storage accommodation had been much increased during 

 1916 in expectation of a larger export trade, but this extra 

 space was not required in 1917, partly because of the restricted 

 quantities handled, and partly because the supply of tonnage 

 was comparatively well maintained. Several experiments were 

 made in the cutting of frozen carcases, with a view to economi- 

 cal stowage on board ship ; and in the case of mutton and lamb 



