Scientist Predicts Life On Dairy Farm In 1985

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 8

Scientist Predicts Life On Dairy Farm In 1985

"The Press" Special Service

PALMERSTON NCfeTH, May 26. The dairy farmer of 1985 will milk his cows after breakfast in the morning and before dinner in the afternoon, according to Dr. C. P. McMeekan, superintendent of the Ruakura Animal Research Station. Describing the cowman of 30 years hence in an address to dairy farmers at Massey College, he said: “He will be a man whose productive output per acre and per labour unit will be at least double that of his gresent-day counterpart. By efficiency e will have defeated the bogy of hign costs.

* He will be a producer and seller primarily of milk rather than of butter cheese,, which will have become sideline safety valves.

“He will sell to the peoples not merely of Britain but of the world. “He will exploit the machine so that he does even less physical work than he does today.’ . . “His cattle will be healthier, more productive, and longer lived, “He will, however, still depend upon grass as the cheapest and best source of milk but his pastures will be higheryielding. “The days ahead will attract the best that New Zealand can offer in brains, ability and energy. The industry needs the best on the farm, in the factory, and in the laboratory. Given a fair share Of the young men of today, the dairy industry of tomorrow has nothing to fear.” ■