Argentina's Agricultural Progress. 39 



prove his herds. The extensive purchases made in England of 

 pure pedigree stock for the Argentine are too well known to 

 require comment. Their blood is being diffused through the 

 general herds of the country, and each year brings an increasing 

 crop of " export-type " cross-breds. 



Such changes are not effected in two or three years. Up- 

 grading from rough cattle by crossing with approximately pure 

 Shorthorn or Hereford bulls must continue through at least 

 three generations before the requisite quality for export is 

 obtained. Breeders cannot always afford to buy " pure " bulls, 

 and in using cheaper ones the process of upgrading is slower. 

 It was difficult in 1895 to gather 40,000 steers in all Argentina 

 of sufficient quality and finish to suit the British market. In 

 1902 the output was a quarter of a million. Even so, bullocks 

 of this type are drawn from the front rank only of the Argentine 

 herds. But the upgrading goes on with increasing rapidity. It 

 is certain that Argentina's export of fresh beef will leap up 

 yearly, and the cause will not be the increase in the total capital 

 of horned stock, but the improved quality of the stock. 



At the Live Stock Show, held by the Argentine Rural Society 

 in September last, over 1,000 pure Shorthorn bulls were sold 

 at an average price of £120. From one herd alone twenty- 

 four bulls obtained an average price of £340. These figures 

 indicate the seriousness with which the stock breeder is pre- 

 paring himself to supply the meat market. 



Forecasts are dangerous, but it is not unreasonable to state 

 that by the end of the present decade Argentina will be able 

 to export for European consumption, either chilled or frozen or 

 on the hoof, 10,000,000 cwt. of beef and 5,000,000 cwt. of 

 mutton per annum. 



Before leaving the subject of Argentina's meat production, a 

 few words on the effect of the three years' closure of the British 

 ports to the live stock of River Plate origin will not be out of 

 place. It may be frankly said that the outbreak of foot-and- 

 mouth disease in Argentina, requiring on the part of the British 

 Government the application of the Contagious Diseases of 

 Animals Act, has been a blessing in disguise. It has led to the 

 expansion of the freezing trade, to the inception of the chilled 

 meat trade, and has been a contributor to the establishment of 



