01 
of 
16 
1 
1B 
1 & 
1 
31 
y 
e 
IT 
S 
Was obtained which should greatly increase the accuracy of the 
final result. 
The schedule sent to all occupiers included questions as to 
the number of births and deaths of live stock on farms, and a 
Very much larger number of returns on which to base estimates 
of births and deaths were received than at the two previous 
ensuses in 1908 and 1913, when inquiries on this subject were 
only addressed to a very limited number of owners of live stock. 
In the present instance returns of births have been received from 
Owners of 50 to 60 per cent. of the breeding stock, while owners of 
3 rather larger proportion of the livestock gave returns of deaths. 
The results when compared with those of 1908 and 1913 show 
% lower birth rate for cattle and a rather higher one for sheep, 
While the death rates of both cattle and sheep show noticeable 
ereases over the earlier figures. There is no reason to suppose 
that these differences represent any actual change either in the 
erage birth rates or death rates; they are no doubt due to the 
Very much larger number of returns obtained on this occasion, 
Which give a more accurate view of the true position than those 
Obtained in the earlier inquiries. 
The calculations as to meat supplies for certain past years 
have, therefore, been revised on the assumption that the birth and 
leath rates throughout should have been taken as those ascer- 
tained for 1924-1925, which were as follows :— 
Cattle. 
Sheep. 
Pigs. 
Births (per 100 of breeding stock)* - | 
Deaths (per 100 of total stock)* , 
80 | 118 | 1,080 
1-5 vis 7.5 
of * The stock to which these birth and death rates apply is the average 
the numbers recorded in the agricultural returns at the beginning 
ii end of any year, e.g., the average of the numbers on June 4th, 1924 
=a 1925, except that in the case of sheep the birth rate applies to the 
Jmber of breeding stock enumerated at the end of the year. 
fs resulting figure is subtracted the number of cattle and calves under 
He Years old at the following census to give the slaughter of calves in 
gy The average dressed carcase weight of veal calves is estimated 
5 
a Mutton and Lamb. —To the total number of sheep and lambs at one 
Lesus is added the births before the next census, estimated at 118 per 
1% owes enumerated at the latter census and a deduction is made for 
thy during the twelve months estimated at 7} per cent. of the average 
iby of sheep and lambs at the two censuses. * From the resulting 
8We is deducted the number of sheep and lambs enumerated at the 
Ta of the period and imports of store sheep are added to arrive at 
at yporel slaughter. The average dressed carcase weight is estimated 
S. 
ay Pig Meat.—The method of calculation in the case of pigs is the same 
. for sheep except that births are calculated on the average number of 
ne at the censuses at the beginning and end of the twelve months. Births 
SStimated at 10-8 per sow, and deaths at 7} per cent. The average 
“sed carcase weight is estimated at 160 lbs. 
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