Director of Agriculture Dr Jerome Thomas said beef production in 2004 increased by 46 percent from 83,200 kg in 2003 to 121,700 kg in 2004.

“This was the fourth annual increase since the introduction of the beef marketing initiative in September 2001 and the production of boneless beef,” said Thomas.

He said that the number of cattle slaughtered has also increased significantly from 426 in 2002 to 523 in 2003 and 757 in 2004.

“The beef marketing initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, has been very successful and it appears as though local production met up to 90 percent of the demand for boneless beef, ground beef and beef burgers during the final quarter of 2004,” said Dr. Thomas, adding that the production of boneless beef has been the main driving force behind the success in large ruminant production.

“The 2004 projected target for boneless beef was 35,000 kg but the actual production was 61,418 kg. Boneless beef production during 2004 almost doubled and increased by 91 percent when compared with the 32,083 kg produced during 2003. The boneless beef produced in 2004 came from 390 cattle obtained from 76 farmers who received a total of EC$406,282.00. The value of boneless beef in 2003 was EC$199,916.75 and EC$142,147.92 in 2002,” said Thomas.

He said the beef sub-programme also facilitates the sale of beef to agro-processors, supermarkets and government institutions. A total of 17,993 kg of beef were sold to government institutions during 2004 reflecting an increase of 11 percent when compared with the 16,194 kg in 2003.

Last year a total of 65 farmers supplied 110 cattle and received EC$118,755 for the beef that was sold to government institutions. The estimated value of beef produced by farmers during 2004 was EC$1 million.

Other activities of the beef sub-programme during the year under review included farmer training, extension visits and the introduction of new forage species.

By: Caribbean news