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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
Some Thoughts on Australia's Contribution to World Food Problems
GRAHAME EDGAR, B.V.Sc., Director of Veterinary Research, Veterinary Research Station, Glenfield, N.S.W.
INTRODUCTION.
When Mr. Norris Dodd, former Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations visited Australia a few years ago, he pointed out, amongst other things, that the World population was increasing at the rate of 55,000 persons per day. At that particular time, which was in the immediate post-war years, the production of food of animal origin was not increasing at a corresponding rate.
It has been clearly apparent that the two World Wars which have taken place during the twentieth century have been largely the result of nations who "have not" employing armed force against nations "who have". The importance of food in these conflicts was appreciated by the national leaders of the allied countries prior to the cessation of hostilities during World War II and accordingly in 1943 the late President Roosevelt convened a conference at Hot Springs, Virginia, which was attended by representatives of all allied Governments and from which F.A.O. had its genesis. This conference distinguished two kinds of food targets. Firstly, it urged Governments to adopt as their ultimate nutritional goals dietary standards or allowances based upon scientific assessment of the amount and quality of food in terms of nutrients which promote health; secondly, it drew the attention of Governments to the need for more immediate consumption goals which necessarily must be based upon the practical possibilities of improving the food supplies of their populations.
The annual increase of food production until recently has barely kept pace with the increasing population. It would seem that the rate of increase of population in the world will increase for some years to come, largely as a result of the intensification of health measures in under developed countries, particularly in the use of new methods employed in controlling mass diseases such as malaria, which will very likely lead to still more rapid growth in the world's population.
TRENDS IN WORLD POPULATION.
It is of interest to consider now just what has taken place in the rate of increase in world population since the end of World War II. The most recent figures available are for the years 1948/51, and are particularly interesting. During that period Eire, Poland and Czechoslovakia showed decreasing populations. The United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Nepal showed an increase of from 0 to 0.5%. Bolivia, Uraguay, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and Holland, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, Ethiopia, Tanganyika, Rhodesia, Iran and Iraq, India, Burma, Indonesia and Borneo showed increasing populations of from 0.5% to 1%. In the next bracket of countries, showing increasing populations of from 1.5% to 2.5%, we have Canada, U.S.A., U.S.S.R., Turkey, Thailand, Brazil, Belgian Congo, Kenya, South Africa, New Zealand, Peru, Chile, Iceland, Holland and Japan. Countries which have shown an increase in populations over 2.5% during this period are Australia, South West Africa, the Sudan, Mexico and Argentina.
TRENDS IN WORLD FOOD PRODUCTION.
At the end of the War, largely as a result of the efforts of F.A.O., high levels of production were developed by all food exporting countries except Argentina. The most noteworthy example of this effort to increase exportable food stuffs stands to the credit of the North American countries, which during the immediate post-war years persistently maintained a high output of exportable food stuffs. This outstanding example by U.S.A. and Canada stands out in striking contrast during those years to the slow and painful process which took place in other countries. The amazing manner in which these two countries responded was a convincing illustration of their resilience in meeting the expanding food needs of their own increasing populations and exporting substantial quantities of foodstuffs.
It should be remembered also that this was achieved in the face of fears of creating an unsaleable surplus of certain commodities, which in fact prevails at the present time; the notable examples being butter, eggs and fats of animal origin. The United States attained their goal by means of their Agricultural Support programme and it is fairly evident that if this had not been under taken the world might have been in a catastrophic plight in the absence of these food reserves.
It seemed to be appreciated by the U.S.A. administration that the provision of subsidies under the Agricultural Support programme would establish unsaleable surplus, but it is doubtful whether it was ever anticipated that the dimensions of the surplus in butter and eggs would assume the size that is to-day. It is not proposed to discuss how this surplus might be disposed of in world markets other than to express the hope that it will be disposed of ultimately for the sustenance of mankind. The enormous accumulation of animal fats as allow continues from month to month and its disposal is unlikely to be effected by the main avenue of absorption; namely, soap manufacture. The ever-increasing demand for detergents, and their establishment both in industry and home life in the place of soaps, has created a very unfavourable outlook for the soap manufacturing industry.
AUSTRALIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD FOOD SUPPLIES OF ANIMAL ORIGIN.
Let us now consider what part this country is playing in increasing our food supply. Since 1939 the population of Australia has increased by 24%. while agricultural production has increased by only 12%. The repercussions of this situation are not difficult to appreciate and it has been realised readily by administrations, both State and Commonwealth, that some plans had to be developed to adjust the situation.
It long has been recognised that primary industries are Australia's best dollar earners and, as an example, in 1951 the primary industries provided more than 90% of Australia's total dollar income.
In 1952 the Australian Agricultural Council announced a set of production aims for certain agricultural products, the target date being five years hence; in 1957/58. In the United States and some Commonwealth countries the rehabilitation of agriculture during the war and in the post-war years was achieved largely by the provision of subsidies. The question might be asked as to what the Commonwealth Government has done to assist the primary industries of Australia.
In the first place the Commonwealth provides a grant of £200,000 per annum to assist State Governments in the expansion of their extension and advisory services amongst primary producers, Commonwealth funds also are being employed in the Dairy Industry Grant, by which £250,000 per annum is made available to the States. This is being used in various ways, such as the establishment of Artificial Insemination Centres and the investigation of some of the industries' problems with demonstrations of methods in the various dairying districts of the country to illustrate the advantages of applying the results of research.
Before considering the progress of the aims of the Australian Agricultural Council a few figures on the value of Australian rural industries to the national income are worthy of mention and are of interest when compared with pre-war figures. In 1938/39 total production of the rural industries was £226.3 million, of which £113.4 million constituted exports.
1951/52... ... £961 million of which £547 were exports.
1952/53 ... ... £1165 million of which £721 were exports.
1953/54 ... ... £1163 million of which £680 were exports.
The plan of the Australian Agricultural Council was to consider the average production of products of the various animal industries over the four years 1947/51 and then to create a target which it was hoped to achieve by 1957/58. The following constitute the averages and targets in products of animal origin:—
| Average | Aim | |
|---|---|---|
| Butter | 166,000 tons | 170,000 tons |
| Cheese | 44,000 tons | 40,000 tons |
| Processed milk | 100,000 tons | 190,000 tons |
| Total milk production, all purposes | 1,209 mill. galls. | 1,350 mill. galls. |
| Beef and Veal | 600,000 tons | 672,000 tons |
| Lamb | 134,000 tons | 190,000 tons |
| Mutton | 179,000 tons | 213,000 tons |
| Pig Meats | 90,000 tons | 100,000 tons |
| Eggs | 115 mill. doz. | 129 mill. doz. |
THE PROGRESS OF THE AIM.
It is a matter of considerable interest that of the items listed above it was considered that beef would show the slowest response to methods to increase production. Beef already has exceeded the target for 1957/58, as during 1953/54 total beef production in Australia exceeded 700,000 tons; of which the export proportion was 64% higher than the previous year, 1952/53. Butter and milk have not shown any substantial increase to date, largely as a result of unfavourable climatic conditions in the butter producing areas. The trends in connection with the other items are showing a satisfactory increase.
In certain quarters doubts have been cast on Australia's potential to produce and maintain an exportable surplus of foodstuffs, but the writer's opinion is that there are a number of factors which offer a very bright ray of hope in achieving our food production aims, and even exceeding them substantially. Two of the most significant factors which will operate in feeding our ever-increasing population at an adequate standard are: firstly, the expansion and development of sown pastures in land utilisation and, secondly, the very significant reduction in the rabbit population as a result of the effects of Myxomatosis. The enhanced fertility of our soils in the higher rainfall areas can be attributed to the native plant Trifolium subterraneum, or subterranean clover; originally recognised in Victoria, only somewhere about 1893.
In the intervening sixty years it has augmented primary production, especially on the granite soils, to a degree considered impossible at the turn of the century. It would seem that it is going to play an equally important part in our economy by building soil nitrogen and augmenting grass production as the potato did in the economy of Ireland in another way. Had it not been for subterranean clover the chances of increasing production in the granite country, of which there are considerable areas in Australia, would have been a remote possibility.
It is remarkable fact that at the present time one can travel considerable distances in the States of Queensland, N.S.W. and Victoria without seeing a rabbit. As at the end of March this year there had been only two rabbitskin auctions held in Sydney; the total tonnage offered being less than 40 tons. Prior to Myxomatosis the sales for a quarter amounted to approximately 700 tons. In 1856 the first rabbits were introduced to Australia at Geelong and the cost of this error has been enormous. However, it can be claimed fairly, that at the present time we are more lightly stocked with fur-bearing quadrupeds than at any time since 1856. The rabbit always sought the young growing succulent plant. The fact that sheep and cattle now have access to this high protein plant-life has played a part in the general overall increase in the volume of our primary production.
As to what the future holds regarding the performance of Myxomatosis cannot be forecast with any degree of accuracy, but the results during the summer of 1954/55 were most encouraging. Nevertheless, Pastures Protection Boards should not relax their anti-rabbit policy for at least another decade.