EXCHANGE OF FARMERS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26129, 3 June 1950, Page 5

EXCHANGE OF FARMERS

DOMINION AND U.S. SCHEME DAIRY BOARD ADOPTS PROPOSAL A scheme tc send four young dairy farmers to the United States each year, and to- bring four young American dairy farmers to New Zealand, has been approved by the Dairy Board and by the United States agricultural authorities. Details have not been worked out yet, but the scheme has been received with great enthusiasm by both sides. The suggestion is that each country meet the expenses of its visitors, and that each country pay the fares of its own men, and thus avoid the perennial headache, for this country, of finding dollars. One season of about six months will be spent ‘by the young men overseas, and fpr the visitors to New Zealand the time will be divided between work on outstanding dairy farms and visits to various scientific establishments. When Dr. W. E. Petersen, of Minnesota, one of the leading authorities on dairying.' was in New Zealand, interest in what he had to say was intense. Dairy’ farmers throughout the country turned out in unprecedented numbers to meet him, and no doubt learned much of value to them. Interest among American dairy farmers in his visit was just as strong, and since his return he has been inundated with requests to pass on to the American industry what he learned in New ZeaI land. He has been able to cope with only a fraction of these requests. This . situation probably assured the interest of the United States Department of i Agriculture in the scheme, which i offers the opportunity of an exchange t of useful ideas between two of the I world’s leading dairying countries. Leaders for Industry I The Dairy Board has another end in I view as well. Mr A. H. Ward, ths : board s director of herd improvement, , told a Canterbury audience last week that those at the head of the industry : were becoming concerned about finding future leaders for the indur try. j There would be strong competition ' among young farmers throughout the . Dominion to be included in the four i selected annually to go to the United States. These men would have to fill certain qualifications. They would have to be good dairy farmers, and to i have a wide knowledge of the organi isation of the industry, as well as bei ing good speakers and men of strong I personality. It was at present coni templated that only four would go to ! America, but several hundreds of young men would be studying the organisation of the industry in an attempt to gain a selection. “Members of the board are not getj ting any younger.” he said, “and we I are asking ourselves where the leaders of the future are to come from. We are perfectly 'serious in this question, which is in no sense political.” The scheme obviously has great possibilities apart from its general effect on the dairy industry through an interchange of the latest ideas, and its particular effect on a number of individuals iff the industry. For instance, American observers in New Zealand regularly comment in terms of the highest admiration on New Zealand pasture management. It is possible that the gospel of better grass may spread rapidly through the activities of young New in the United States, and young Americans in this country.