HC Deb 15 April 1946 vol 421 cc2341-4
54 and 57. Mr. Baldwin

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether the protein ration for dairy cows will be maintained this year, particularly during the summer period, at last year's level; (2) whether the protein ration for beef cattle will be maintained this year, particularly during the winter period, at last year's level.

48. Colonel Ropner

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement indicating what amounts of foodstuffs he anticipates will be available for the various categories of farm livestock during 1946 and, in particular, with regard to cattle, horses, pigs and poultry.

Mr. T. Williams

Ration scales for livestock during the period from May to September will be, in general, the same

RATION SCALES FOR FARM LIVESTOCK MAY-SEPTEMBER, 1946.
(NOTE: The unit is at present I cwt.)
Dairy Cows.
(a) Against Milk Production.
Monthly Allowances per cow* (in units) for daily average sales two months earlier, exceeding—
1½ gallons. 2 gallons. 2½ gallons. 3 gallons. 3½ gallons. 4 gallons.
May … … … ¼ ⅜ ½ ⅝ ¾ ⅞
June … … … — ¼ ⅜ ½ ⅜ ¾
July … … … — ¼ ⅜ ½ ⅝ ¾
August … … … — ¼ ⅜ ½ ⅝ ¾
September … … … ¼ ⅜ ½ ⅝ ¾ ⅞
*Cows and heifers in milk plus dry in-calf cows.

The allowances against milk production are issued in the proportion of t protein: 3 cereal.

(b) Allowances issuable from Discretionary Reserves

At County War Agricultural Executive Committee's discretion, on proof of need, no particular rate of issue being specified. Qualifying cases are:

  1. (i) Where milk production is being jeopardised by late growth or deterioration of pasture.
  2. (ii) Where there are high-yielding cows in the herd but the herd average does not qualify for rations as in (a) above.
  3. (iii) Where dry cows and calving heifers require some concentrates before calving.

as last summer except that basic rations for commercial pigs and poultry will be sufficient only for one-sixth of prewar numbers. Strict economy will also be necessary in supplementary issues for all classes of stock. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the scales for the classes of farm stock mentioned in Questions. I am not at present in a position to make any statement about ration scales during the winter of 1946–47, but, in view of the present and prospective world supply situation, I would take this opportunity of again impressing upon farmers the vital necessity of increasing their efforts to attain the maximum self-sufficiency in feedingstuffs of all kinds.

Mr. Assheton

Is the Minister satisfied that the Minister of Food has obtained all possible supplies from Argentina?

Mr. Williams

My right hon. Friend has obtained the maximum supplies possible.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Does the Minister consider it too late to encourage farmers to sow linseed this year?

Mr. Williams

I should like notice of that question.

Following are the particulars of ration scales:

(c) Special Allowance for cows and heifers calving in October or November

Any issue which may be made under this head will depend upon sufficient supplies being available.

CALVES

(a) Calves up to 6 months old

⅜unit calf-food per month. This allowance is given normally only on milk-selling holdings.

(b) Bull calves up to 6 months old, from milk-recorded or pedigree dairy herds

I unit per head per month (in protein and cereal), in lieu of calf-food allowance as in (a) above.

(c) Allowances issuable from Discretionary Reserves

At County War Agricultural Executive Committee's discretion, on proof of need, no particular rate of issue being specified. Qualifying cases are:

  1. (i) Heifer calves 6–12 months old, on small holdings where no milk is sold or on hill farms where rearing is the chief occupation.
  2. (ii) Other young stock on holdings where essential crops for direct human consumption have been grown at the expense of fodder crops.

OTHER CATTLE

(a) Premium bulls being used for service

Monthly allowance of ½ unit protein and up to I unit of cereal, according to need.

(b) Other hulls, 6–16 months old, being reared for service

Monthly allowance of up to ½ unit protein and I unit cereal, according to need.

HORSES

(Allowances for agricultural horses are made only if the oats grown on the holding are unavoidably insufficient for them.)

(a) Agricultural Horses, in work.

Up to 2½ units for May, 1¼ units per month June-September. If engaged in continuous heavy work, up to 4 units per month.

(b) Farmers' Horses for Transport or other trade purposes, e.g., milk delivery.

Up to I unit per month.

(c) Heavy Stallions at stud.

Up to 5 units per month for Shires, 4 units per month for Suffolk, Percherons and Clydesdales. Allowance obtainable up to July.

(d) Urban Transport Horses and Pit Ponies.

The Ministry of Food issues rations of between ½ and 3¾ units per month for horses engaged on essential work.

PIGS

(a) Basic Issue.

1 unit per pig per month May-August, for one-sixth of numbers registered at June, 1939, or December, 1940.

(b) Pedigree Pigs.

½unit per pig per month for up to one-third of the numbers registered at June, 1939, or December, 1940.

(c) Premium Boars.

1 unit per boar per month.

(d) Farrowing Sows.

6 units for each sow or gilt about to farrow.

POULTRY

(a) Basic Issue.

1½ units per 20 birds per month May-August, for one-sixth of the numbers registered at June, 1939, or December, 1940.

(b) Supplementary rations for Sound Poultry Breeding Stock.

1⅛ units per month per 18 fowls, 15 ducks or nine turkeys.

Rations for pigs and poultry are issued in the proportion of 1 protein: 9 cereal.