The Vanuatu Issue Nº 474
Independent
L’IND EP EN DA N T
March 30 - April 5, 2013
Foundation Committee Inc.
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Meat prices risk rise from cattle shortage
by Tony Wilson
been consumed and there was no thought or planning for stock replenishment,’’ he said.
VANUATU needs more cattle as the demand is outstripping the supply, says a major farmer.
“You could ship more cattle into Tanna, but the same thing would just happen again.’’
Leading cattle farmer David Russet said the real issue is that there is not enough land available at present to graze the prized Vanuatu cattle.
He said many of the cattle farms in Santo were being poorly run at present. “They are using poor techniques and many of them are really farming fields of weed,’’ he said.
“The government has to get its act together and facilitate the acquiring of land that can be converted into cattle farming land,’’ he said.
“For example the Milai property was well run by Mark O’Brien and his father and they had about 11,500 head of cattle.
“There is basically no land left in Efate for cattle farming and not a great amount in Santo either. “If more land doesn’t become available then the shortages of beef will increase and the prices will increase as well.’’ Mr Russet said the untouched land in central Efate is too hilly and unsuitable for cattle farming. “You need undulating land and areas that can easily be converted into grass paddocks,’’ he said. He said a number of factors had led to the cattle shortage in Vanuatu.
INSIDE
“Then it was sold to a Korean company about six years ago and now it is not well run and has only about 6000 head of cattle. Vanuatu beef is among the best in the world, but a major producer warns land is scarce. “Firstly, the population has increased and also the Melanesian diet has changed and now they eat a lot more meat than previously,’’ he said. “The other factor is that the rest of the world has discovered how good Vanuatu beef is and the word about our quality has spread, and with it the demand for our meat from overseas.’’
Police warn drivers over Easter break uu 3
“Our beef is simply the best in the South Pacific and among the best in the world.’’
“We cannot afford to have farms like that we need them to be efficient to help meet the demand.’’
Mr Russet, who is the third or fourth largest cattle producer in Vanuatu, said some of the cattle farming techniques and standards were not adequate and this was adding significantly to the problems.
Mr Russet said he is currently in the process of buying the Milai property and plans to restore it to its past levels of cattle. He is also looking at sites in Erromango and South Malekula as possible cattle properties.
“There is no beef cattle left inTanna, it has all
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THE PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTION AGENT OF THE INDEPENDENT ON OUTER ISLANDS IS VANUATU POST. COPIES RECEIVED BY OUTER ISLAND HIGH SCHOOLS ARE COURTESY OF WESTPAC VANUATU.
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