YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 9

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

MOVEMENT IN NORTH " CANTERBURY

The Young Farmers’ Club movement in the North Canterbury district has made remarkable progress during the last few years. Three years ago only three clubs were functioning in the district; at present there are seven active clubs with a total membership of more than 200. Evidence of the keenness of members is shown by their regular attendance on field days and at the regular meetings of the clubs. Lectures and demonstrations on subjects of general farming interest are given at the meetings, and club and inter-club debates are often held, Recently a team from the district took part in an inter-district debate at Ashburton.

Field days have been held by each club when farms in their localities have been visited. In addition, district field days, attended by members of all the clubs, have been held at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, in the Rangiora-Kaiapoi district, and in Mid-Canterbury, when more than 100 members were shown over the irrigation scheme. The Stock-judging Challenge Cup was keenly competed for last year and was won by Mr A. Stewart, of the Ha warden-Waikari Club. Members of the Cheviot Club had a Successful day in Mid-Canterbury recently at a field day organised by Mr E C. Withell, of the Department of Agriculture, Rangiora. The party travelled from Cheviot through Oxford and over the Rakaia to the Highbank power station, where they were shown over the plant and electrical equipment by the engineer in charge. After lunching at Methven the party was conducted over the Ashburton-Lyndhurst irrigation scheme by Messrs R. Inch and G. Calder, of the Department of Agriculture, Ashburton. Interesting comparisons were made between irrigated and nonirrigated areas of lucerne, e white clover, and ryegrass-white clover pastures, and members generally were very favourably impressed with the results of irrigation and with its great possibilities. Mr T. Stevenson thanked those responsible for making the field day so interesting and profitable.