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This article was published in 1959
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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
The Effect of Disease on Animal Production
C. C. BLUMER, B.V.Sc., Chief, Division of Animal Industry, N.S.W.
My emphasis is going to be more on animal production than on disease and I must ask you to bear with me and study some more figures. For instance, we could, with profit, study the situation of animal production as far as major contributions are concerned excluding wool; namely, lamb, mutton, beef and pork. In this connection the following Table is most illuminating: -
| MEAT PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| LAMB AND MUTTON | |||
| SHEEP (Millions) | PRODUCTION (1,000 tons) | EXPORTS (1,000 tons) | |
| 1950 | 53.3 (112.9) | 119.8 (358.1) | 14.5 (85.7) |
| 1958 | 66.1 (149.7) | 124.5 (411.1) | 4.4 (49.6) |
| BEEF | |||
| CATTLE (Millions) | PRODUCTION (1,000 tons) | EXPORTS (1,000 tons) | |
| 1950 | 3.4 (14.6) | 185.6 (606.5) | 1.7 (84.7) |
| 1958 | 3.7 (16.9) | 225.1 (776.2) | 18.3 (123.8) |
| PORK | |||
| PIGS (1,000s) | PRODUCTION (1,000 tons) | EXPORTS (1,000 tons) | |
| 1950 | 336.6 (1123.2) | 27.9 (90.2) | 1.1 (8.8) |
| 1958 | 397.0 (1421.0) | 32.4 (97.9) | 0.1 (1.2) |
NOTE: The figures shown are for New South Wales; the Commonwealth figures being shown in brackets.
In 1950, then the number of sheep in New South Wales was estimated as 53.3 million; which means that New South Wales had about 50 per cent. of the Commonwealth's total number of sheep. In 1958, the situation had altered insofar as the New South Wales sheep numbers were 66.1 million, as compared with 149.8 million for the Commonwealth. This is stressed to emphasise the importance of the State of New South Wales in relation to the total output of the Commonwealth. As far as meat production was concerned; in 1950 there were 119.8 thousand tons of lamb and mutton for New South Wales, as compared with the Commonwealth total of 353.1; whereas in 1958 N.S.W. had jumped from 119.8 to 124.5 thousand tons, but at the same time the Commonwealth figure had jumped to 411.1.
Now to exports. In 1950 we exported to all countries, and not only to the United Kingdom. 14.5 thousand tons of lamb and mutton; whereas in 1958 it had dropped to 4.4 thousand tons. This is very disturbing; but perhaps the explanation is that home population has increased, and the type of lamb suitable for export is in very keen demand on the home market.
The situation as regards beef cattle is different. In 1950, there were 3.4 million head of cattle in New South Wales. In 1958, that had increased to 3.7 million. The Commonwealth figure was 14.6 million in 1950 and had increased to 16.9 million in 1958. That means over 2 million increase in the Commonwealth in those eight years, but the State only increased one-third of a million. In 1950, our production of beef was 185.6 thousand tons, and in 1958 this had increased to 225.1 thousand tons. The total Australian exports increased from 606.5 thousand tons to 706.2 thousand tons in those years. You will see that we lost in exports of mutton and lamb but picked up in beef.
This is a factor which is concerning the United Kingdom. There is an enormous demand for lower quality beef and there is concern being felt by people in the industry generally at the wholesale destruction of large numbers of very excellent good-type breeding cows. What the position is going to be at the end of this year is problematic, because if the excessive demand for low-grade beef is maintained, owners are going to realise on what stocks they have and we are going to be very short of beef. We cannot overlook the dairying industry in this regard, because 25 per cent. of beef production is contributed by that particular section of our cattle population.
As far as pig production is concerned. we have to interpret this in the light of the general reluctance of the overseas people to buy pig meats from Australia in view of the high cost of production; while the British market is saturated with supplies from the Continent,e.g. Denmark and Holland in particular, and also Sweden. Their industry is highly organised with an enormous degree of efficiency. All sorts of assistance is provided in the way of pig-testing units and stations where it is mandatory for people to submit boars from their studs to assess the daily rate of weight gain; as well as the capabilities of boars to transmit that propensity to their offspring.
In 1950, the New South Wales pig population was 333.6 thousand, and in 1958 it was 397 thousand. The Commonwealth figure for 1950 was 1123.2 thousand and in 1958 it had increased to 1421 thousand. The pig meat production figures for New South Wales in 1950 were 27.9 thousand tons; in 1958 this was 32.4 thousand tons. For the Commonwealth, in 1950 the figure was 90.2 thousand tons, and in 1958 it was 97.9 thousand tons.
You will see that in 1950 we exported 1100 tons of pig meat and only exported one-tenth of this eight years later. The Commonwealth figure is shown as 8,800 tons exported in 1950; while in 1958 it was only 1200 tons. It would be interesting to know just what effect our New Australian population has had on these figures.
As far as pigs are concerned, and this is a matter which I am sure the people in the wheat belt would like to have brought under their notice, there is a large amount of stock wheat now available and there is the desire on the part of the wheat farmer to be advised as to whether he should undertake pig production or not. We have a very limited export of pigmeat and we cannot compete in the British market. There are markets in the east, particularly Singapore and Malaya; and especially if we send the right type of pigmeat. The pig industry must be regarded as a sideline one. catering for the actual requirements of the Commonwealth. There is some export, but no great prospect for any major increase in the amount of pig meat exported.
The average number of brood sows in New South Wales on a property is four. There is no meat industry capable of development as quickly as the pig meat industry. In 18 months time, one can increase output commensurate with the number of sows on hand. If sows are increased by one (to a maximum of five) there is increased potential of 25 per cent. If two extra brood sows are carried the potential is increased by 50 per cent.; and once that is done the bottom is going to fall out of the market. As a Department, we cannot advise people on production, but I think Veterinary Inspectors in contact with farmers can indicate what the situation is and what might happen if there is any big increase in the number of brood sows kept.
The value of meat exports from New South Wales last year was £4,000,000; and from Australia, £30,000,000. We have an enormous local population to provide for and we are living off the fat of the land. You may be interested also to know that Queensland is of course, by far the greatest meat producing State of the Commonwealth. Of the exports to the United Kingdom for the period of 12 months ending 30th June, 1958. total beef exports from the Commonwealth were 20,000,000; of which Queensland alone contributed £14½m. That indicates the significance of the Queensland cattle industry to the over-all value of the beef industry.
The estimated annual consumption of meat in Australia in the year 1952, as compared with 1958, is as follows: —
| 1952 | 1958 | |
|---|---|---|
| Beef and Veal | 452.8 thousand tons | 525.5 thousand tons |
| Mutton | 155.6 thousand tons | 215.8 thousand tons |
| Lamb | 91.6 thousand tons | 121.8 thousand tons |
| Pork | 27.6 thousand tons | 32.1 thousand tons |
| Bacon and hams | 27.5 thousand tons | 29.6 thousand tons |
| Canned Meats | 9.5 thousand tons | 13.9 thousand tons |
Bearing in mind the value of our exports, what can be done to increase our production to counterbalance the great increase in home consumption? In those six years, there has been a tremendous increase in the amount of exportable meat and in the stocking rate. The seasons have been good; everything has been in our favour and our over-all sheep numbers have increased from 112.9 to 129.7 million.
One of the factors which must be looked at for instance, is neo-natal mortality. This is a very serious one; in fact the recognised figure for the loss between lambing and marking is 15-20 per cent. This is accepted by the industry. Much of that loss no doubt is due to the heat-regulating mechanism in the young lamb being unable to adjust itself to excessive heat or cold; but neo-natal mortality is a subject on which there is much more work to be done. It is extremely difficult to indicate what percentage is due to disease, but very many sheep men now accept a mortality of 20 per cent. This of course, is just one of the many factors operating against maximum production, but it is an instance of what must be done in the way of disease control if we are to satisfy the needs of our increasing population; and still maintain the maximum revenue from exports.
I have not dealt with the value of wool because that value fluctuates so violently. The current value of the New South Wales woolclip for 1958-59 is £90 million. The year before it was £135 million.
In this regard, what is our loss of wool through external parasites? I think you will recall that Mr. Hebden carried out an extensive survey of the sheep industry, in New South Wales; and that it was his considered and deliberate opinion that about 15 per cent. of the sheep in New South Wales at the time were infested with external parasites. He estimated that the wool clip would be reduced by 1.5 per cent.; which on £135,000,000 equals £2,032,500. For 1958-59 the wool values are much lower, but 1.5 per cent. of £90,000,000 equals £1,211,000. He estimated that there would be 33,000 sheep properties in New South Wales with a dip which would cost £500. Written off over 10 years, these have cost sheepowners £1,676,000 per annum. The cost of dipping 65,000,000 sheep at an average of £6/10/- per thousand equals £422,500. Add labour - 3 men for 3 days; amounts to £603,040. This means that external parasites are costing New South Wales no less than £3,914,000 per annum.
No mention has been made of Footrot or common conditions such as Blackleg, Black Disease, Entero-Toxaemia,etc. You know what the problems are with those; and what must be done to bring them under control.
Now let us look at another factor which may throw some light on the cost of disease; and indicate the effect of disease on animal production. That is, the Cattle Compensation Act. This is very disturbing when one sees the figures. £1,172,761 has been disbursed from the inception of the Act (on 1st September, 1952) to 30th June, 1958. Of the components, £945,847, which is about 82 per cent, and only £55,000 short of a million pounds, was for Tuberculosis. The next extensive component was Cancer - £100,000; then Actinomycosis, £96,000; Pleuro-pneumonia, £25,000; Tick Fever, £1156; Johnes Disease, £262; Trichomoniasis, £1847; Vibriosis, £26; and Actinobacillosis £1000. This may not be quite a fair comparison but it is highly significant because for the last six months of 1958 and the first two months of this year (eight-twelfths of a year) we have disbursed £229,323 in cattle compensation.
Let us compare, for instance, the figures for Tuberculosis for the various years:
| 1952-53 | £79,000 |
| 53-54 | £171,000 |
| 54-55 | £154,000 |
| 55-56 | £145,000 |
| 56-57 | £167,000 |
| 57-58 | £228,021 |
Looking at these figures, there is one point which must be kept in mind; that is, the effect of sporadic testing. One cannot see any possibility of improvement in the situation until we have compulsory eradication. American experience has shown quite clearly that Tuberculosis under sporadic testing will double itself in 15 years. At present, only about 15 per cent. of the dairy cattle in this state have been tested; though the work has been going on for many years.
Another suggestion which might be made is that a 100 per cent. Pleuro-pneumonia vaccination programme in the Northern Territory and Queensland is practicable. In the 1956 outbreak in N.S.W. we estimated that it cost £166,000; and that is a very conservative figure. It is made up of £9,500 for compensation and £150,000 for disturbance of enterprise. In addition, we have considered recurring expenses; such as Border Staff at approximately £10,000, and a proportionate amount of salary of Veterinary Inspectors and Rangers at £2,700. The total cost of control of Pleuro-pneumonia for 1956-58 was £l million. One may claim that the situation never will be rectified until a 100 per cent vaccination programme is instituted in Northern Australia.
In giving you these facts and indications, there is no apology for laying so much emphasis on animal production. The main purpose is to reduce the incidence of disease, and to increase our production. If the figures have been boring, it is hoped they have in some measure helped to indicate the importance of the industry, and the importance of trained Veterinary personnel to the industry.