Land sought for dairy farms

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33803, 27 March 1975, Page 13

Land sought for dairy farms

The Government is stepping up its purchase of land suitable for dairying so that ; it can settle more young men on dairy farms of their own, according to the Under-Secretary of Lands and Agriculture (Mr Barclay).

Several sheep farms were; being bought for conversion! to dairying, and the dive purchased so far would provide an additional 13 dairy farms, j he said. The Government resumed the settlement of farm units late last year when 20 sheep farms and five dairy’ farms were offered for selection by the Lands and Survey Department. “The settlement programme for the coming year provides for 48 farms, comprising 32 sheep and 16 dairy units. From 1976 on, it is intended that a mini-

mum of 50 farms be offered annually,” Mr Barclay said. However, as the bulk of the land held by the Crown for development was suitable only for sheep and cattle fanning, it was not possible to satisfy the demand for dairy farms for landless young farmers wanting to take up dairying, he said. “This predominance of sheep country is reflected in the types of units offered last year; and there will be little prospect of satisfying the demand unless a programme of land purchase aimed at quick development and settlement of dairy units is undertaken,” Mr Barclay said. The Government had recognised this imbalanc between sheep and dairy units and last year had approved a sum of Sim for the purchase of land capable of quick conversion to dairying.

'i The Government had since! 'negotiated for several sheep I ■’farms. Mr Barclay expected ■ that by the end of March /the purchase of five of these! properties would have been completed, providing 1000 hectares for subdivision into an extra 13 dairy farms. “I am pleased with the progress that has been! made, and if the Government agrees to provide increased finance to step up the programme, there is no doubt that a considerably greater number of dairy units can be made available,” Mr Barclay said.