asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate for each of the last ten years up to 31st December, 1952 (a) the number of cows in milk production; (b) types of breed; (c) average yield per type of breed; (d) average butter content of milk produced; (e) number of cows bought by the Department; (f) number of breeding heifers sold to farmers by the Department; and (g) number of in-calf heifers slaughtered.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Statistics.
Mr. Walsh
With regard to (a) the numbers of milch cows as at June in each of the years 1943 to 1950 are shown in the Statistical Abstract of Ireland,1951, and corresponding figures for the years 1951 and 1952 are shown in the December issues of theIrish Trade JournalandStatistical Bulletinfor these years.
Statistics are not available in regard to (b) and (c). As the Deputy is aware, the great bulk of the milch cows in the country are of the Dairy Shorthorn type.
As to (d), detailed returns for the years prior to 1951 are not available but it is estimated that the annual average butter-fat content of milk supplied to creameries during the past ten years was 3.5 per cent. The actual average butter-fat content of milk supplied to creameries in 1951 was 3.52 per cent., and the comparable figure for 1952 is not yet available.
With regard to (e) and (f), particulars are not readily available for the period mentioned. The numbers of cows and breeding heifers purchased by my Department in 1951 and 1952 were 732 and 437, respectively, and the numbers of breeding heifers sold by the Department in 1951 and 1952 were 13 and 416, respectively.
Did I hear the Minister say that there was difficulty in getting from his own Department particulars with regard to (e) and (f)?
Mr. Walsh
Yes.
Does his Department not keep such records?
Mr. Walsh
No. Separate records are not kept for the various breeds.
Clauses (e) and (f) refer to the number of cows bought and sold by the Department.
Mr. Walsh
I have given those numbers.
I am asking about the number of cows bought by his Department.
Mr. Walsh
The Department did not buy cows; it bought heifers.
Can the Minister not give me the number?
Mr. Walsh
I have given the figures: 732 and 437.
The information under (g) is not available?
The number of in-calf heifers slaughtered?
Mr. Walsh
In factories?
Yes.
Mr. Walsh
I could give the percentage. The number of in-calf heifers slaughtered last year was in the neighbourhood of 5 per cent. It has been gradually decreasing over the years.