FARMLAND DEVELOPMENT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13138, 12 September 1940, Page 6

FARMLAND DEVELOPMENT

ROTORUA PRODUCTION COUNCIL

URGE ACTION

Further development and reconditioning of farmlands in the Rotorua district was again the chief gubject discussed by the Rotorua District Council of Primary Production at the last meeting. It was decided to press the previous recommendations of the council for the straightening of the Waiotapu stream and the re-condi-tioning of the Kaharoa block. This was considered an important phase in the work of increasing production in the district and one necessitating early action.

A recommendation was forwarded to the National Council that provision should be made for, the grazing of young dairy stock on the land being developed by the Government in the district. This would allow for the replacement of the, young stock on the farms by milking cows. It was stated that statistics showed that an increase in dairy stock was an urgent necessity. Many prospective valuable heifer calves were disposed of as bobby calves, solely because it was not practicable for dairy farmers to rear more than a limited number of heifer calves each y£ar. Therefore the proposition for the grazing of young dairy stock on Government lands was regarded as a sound national service by the district council. .

The growing of barley for pig feed aroused much discussion, and opinions "were expressed that the prospective capabilities of the district in this direction were good. A recommendation was sent forward to the National Council that with the large amount of work in land development under way in the Rotorua district, the organisation of barley growing, including two or three varieties, should be undertaken by the Governs' * ment. It was considered that this would be a more sound and economical method than for individual farmers to undertake the work. Rationing of Supplies Supplies of wire, fertilisers, and cobalt were discussed. The district council agreed that there appeared to be need for rationing of wire and fertilisers, tending towards a greater utilisation of supplies for immediate farm needs.