SOME INTERESTING SNIPPETS FROM THE PAST.   U.K.

Devons were used up until the 1950's to provide milk which was made into Devonshire cream and butter in farm dairies. In 1960 three Devon herds were milk recorded, with the average yield of 2351 liters at 4.05% butter fat.

An interesting aspect is that this breed is sometimes kept for milk production and in the past cows have appeared at the London Dairy Show. The milk is rich and is often separated for the production of cream, for sale as clotted cream.

At the Bath and West Show at Plymouth 1922, there was a milk test for cows, open to all breeds. The breeds competing were South Devon, Shorthorn, Red Poll, Friesian, Jersey, Dexter and Devon.  Thirty-one cows competed. The first prize was awarded to a Devon cow, W.G. Busk's Wraxall Bluebell, and 2nd to another Devon, J.H.Chicks Wynford Pill 2nd.

 

BEEF (PRICES)

from hansard      07/jun/1937

 §Mr. T. Smith (for Mr. T. Williams)
asked the Minister of Agriculture the average price per live cwt. of British beef, first quality, on the last week in May, 1936, and 1937; and the price at Salisbury for the same two dates?

 

§ Mr. W. S. Morrison
Average prices per live cwt. of fat cattle of first quality in the week ended 26th May were as follow: All Markets, 48s. 3d.; Salisbury, 57s. The averages for the corresponding week in 1936 were 39s. 10d. and 42s. respectively.

 

§ Mr. Smith
Does the right hon. Gentleman regard these prices as satisfactory?

 

§ Mr. Morrison
I hope that the producers regard them as more satisfactory than the prices they have been receiving.

 

§ Mr. Thorne
Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for so much variation in prices in different parts of the country?

 

§ Mr. Morrison
It is very largely a matter of breed and quality. The cattle sold at Salisbury were lightweight Devons and very well finished, and butchers are ready to pay