Spatial Distribution Changes And Influencing Factors Of Beef Cattle Production In China

Optimizing the spatial distribution of beef cattle production is an important measure to ensure the stable supply of beef in China.Beef cattle breeding is an important part of animal husbandry in our country,and it is an important industry that forms a virtuous circulation system with planting industry.Beef is an important animal product to improve the dietary structure of residents.China is already the third largest beef producer in the world,but the per capita beef consumption in China has not yet reached the world average level.Social and economic development will inevitably lead to greater demand for beef consumption.Therefore,how to use limited resources to carry out beef cattle breeding scientifically has become an important task faced by the Party and the country.The 20 th National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly pointed out that we should optimize the distribution of major productive forces,accelerate the adjustment and optimization of industrial structure,and ensure the scientific supply of important agricultural products.Beef cattle breeding in China is a choice formed by the transformation from the servitude function of cattle to the enrichment function.Therefore,the number of beef cattle breeding in each region is not only closely related to the resource endowment between regions,but also closely related to the social and economic development level and government support among regions.Therefore,with the adjustment of planting industry and the change of social and economic conditions in each region,there is a theoretical and scientific spatial layout of beef cattle breeding.In view of this,this study attempted to explore the factors affecting the changes in the spatial distribution of beef cattle production,so as to provide decision-making basis for the stable supply of beef in our country.Based on the beef cattle breeding data of 31 inland provinces in China from 1980 to 2020,this study first analyzed the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of beef cattle production layout in China by using descriptive statistics,index calculation,and center of gravity trajectory.Then,based on the theories of new economic geography,comparative advantage and industrial layout,the driving factors affecting the distribution of beef cattle production in China were analyzed,and the spatial econometric model was used to empirically test the influencing factors.Finally,based on the theory of comparative advantage and according to the above research conclusions,suggestions for optimizing the distribution of beef cattle production in China are put forward.The results show that: first,from the time variation characteristics of beef cattle production layout: from 1980 to 2020,beef cattle market volume and beef production showed an overall upward trend.On the whole,the northeast and Central Plains are the earlier developing regions of beef cattle industry in our country,while the northwest and southwest are the new developing regions.The center of gravity of beef cattle production in China showed a trend of "first west,then east and then west" from 1980 to 2020,and the main producing areas experienced the development and change of pastoral area,agricultural area and agricultural and animal husbandry interlacing area.The centripetal force fluctuation of the spatial distribution is enhanced,and the spatial distribution is dominated by the north-south direction,and the development trend is east-west direction.Secondly,from the perspective of the influencing factors of beef cattle production layout,the production contribution caused by the increase of emergence rate is the main driving force of beef cattle production increase,while resource endowment,comparative income and other factors will significantly affect the change of beef cattle production layout.Specifically,corn advantage,industrial advantage,expected return,educational environment and transportation environment will significantly promote beef cattle production in the region,while economic environment will significantly inhibit beef cattle production in the region.Expected returns will significantly promote beef cattle production in neighboring provinces,while corn advantage,economic environment will significantly inhibit beef cattle production in neighboring provinces.Thirdly,from the results of comparative advantages of each province: on the whole,the Central Plains beef cattle region and northeast beef cattle region have the strongest comparative advantages,while the southwest beef cattle region and northwest beef cattle region have strong comparative advantages,which still have room for improvement and need to be vigorously developed.Based on the above research results,this study puts forward relevant suggestions for the development of beef cattle industry in our country.First,we should pay attention to the agglomeration and spillover effect among beef cattle breeding regions,and formulate industry support plans according to local conditions.Integrate advantageous resources among provinces,give full play to the spatial spillover effect of various resources among regions,accelerate the process of beef cattle breeding industry agglomeration,encourage provinces to formulate policies according to the actual situation,protect advantageous resources,and drive the industrial development of adjacent provinces.Second,ensure the supply of roughage.The corresponding protection policies should be formulated for areas with rich grassland resources,the supporting ways of grassland resources for beef cattle breeding should be inspired,and the research and development of technology for transforming grassland into roughage required for beef cattle breeding should be strengthened.Formulate corresponding subsidy policies for areas rich in corn resources,improve farmers’ willingness to plant corn,and strengthen the promotion of straw into meat project.At the same time,the supply scope of roughage resources should be expanded to form cross-provincial industrial linkage and promote the development of beef cattle breeding industry.Third,improve the comparative returns of beef cattle farming.The amount of beef cattle breeding subsidies should be increased to reduce the impact of high income of migrant workers.We will improve the insurance system for beef cattle breeding,increase insurance subsidies for cattle breeding,and improve farmers’ ability to resist risks.Fourth,stabilize the market price of beef.Increase the support of capital,policy and technology,promote the large-scale breeding,build enterprises benefiting farmers,cultivate public brands,and drive the development of the industry.Encourage the vertical integration of the industrial chain,and promote the coordinated development of the feed end,slaughtering end,processing end and breeding end.