Performance and foresight of beef cattle development in Central Java

Abstract

The study was aimed to examine the development of beef cattle that was expressed in consumption growth, production, price stability during the years 2002-2009. Total beef consumption in Central Java during the period 1990 to 2009 rose  at a rate of 3.49% per year and production growth rate increased by 1.97%  per year. Beef production performance was insufficient, the contribution of meat to total meat production decreased from 26.41% in 1990 to 14.45% in 2009. Beef prices in the same period rose by an average rate of 10.35%,  pure beef prices rose an average of 10.45% per year, while  the  price  of  beef  liver  increased  on  average  of  8.58%  per  year.  The  development  of  cattle production in Central Java which was slow  allegedly due to the low cow productivity. Thus the focus of  programs  and  policies  need  to  be  directed  to achieve  the  improvement  of  cultivation  technology and improved price incentives can stimulate sustainable production and development of beef cattle