A Canterbury Survey

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28701, 26 September 1958, Page 1 (Supplement)

A Canterbury Survey

“Tj* ARMING AT THE CROSSROADS,” the title given to this A supplement, is no figment of the imagination. Much has been heard in recent weeks of the plight of the dairy industry and the 10 per cent, drop in the guaranteed price for butterfat is serious enough, but for almost a year now Canterbury’s sheepf antlers have been experiencing even greater declines in the returns from their produce.

In the last wool selling season returns from wool sold at auction in the province were lower by almost 17 per cent, than in the previous year and Canterbury’s fat lamb producers have shared in an estimated fall of about £7m in returns frorii lamb meat last season.

In the annual report of the New Zealand Wool Board it was estimated that the fat lamb farmer’s gross income has fallen by at least 20 per cent, and possibly by close on 30 per cent, where he sold his woof in March and a fair proportion of his lamb when the schedule was at its lowest point.

This new economic climate has put farming at the crossroads. In this publication some of the country’s leading authorities examine, some of the problems facing the farmer in the light of these new circumstances.

This publication is issued in no spirit of pessimism. These are exciting times. Farming—New Zealand’s greatest industry—is faced with a challenge to adjust itself to the new conditions. That farmers in this province are doing this is already evident. The area under wheat has been doubled, which should result in a valuable saving of overseas exchange and a useful addition to farmers’ incomes. Increasing use of artificial insemination to produce beef cattle from dairy cows is another way in which South Island farmers are moving to take advantage of the most profitable fields of production. Yet there should be no falling off in the traditional output of lamb and wool.

In addition to being informative to farmers, the aim of the supplement is also to further acquaint the urban dweller of the problems of the man on the land and the supreme importance to all of the well-being of the farmer.