Farming As Business

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 18

Farming As Business

Farming as a business is the theme of a two-day course which the Department of Agriculture will hold tn Christchurch on June 13 and 14 directed particularly at those associated with the servicing of farming. The department is inviting to the course representatives of stock and station firms, banks, insurance companies, accountants and other commercial institutions associated with the industry.

“Many of the inquiries received by this department involve co-operation with various farm commercial interests and from this experience it is felt that the department has much to offer which would be of practical assistance to all who are called on to make farm policy decisions." says the fields superintendent of the department in Christchurch, Mr A. R Dingwall Mr Dingwall says that in the course it is proposed to cover all the factors involved in various farming systems in his area, including physical and financial standards for these systems and relevant managerial data. As well the proposed standardisation of farm accounts would be fully described and special papers on lending on farm properties and estate planning would be given by experienced men. There would be ample time for discussion.

While most of the speakers will be officers of the department, other lecturers will include Mr H. M. Caselberg, who will discuss the principles of borrowing, and Mr F. L. P. Sharp, who will speak on farm estate planning. Mr R. H. Scott, chief advisory officer (economics) of the department, who is a member of the special committee set up by the Society of Accountants to investigate the possibility of standaardising farm accounts, is also on the programme. This work is now completed and it is expected that the results of this investigation, together with recommendations to all accountants, will be published in the near future.