Farm trends ‘disturbing’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33932, 27 August 1975, Page 20

Farm trends ‘disturbing’

(From Our Own Reporter) The continuing decline in the number of farms and of farmers, the decline in real investment in agriculture, and the stagnation in agricultural production, are the three main trends the Dean of Lincoln College (Professor J. D. Stewart) sees in New Zealand agriculture. He told the annual meeting of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in Wellington on Monday night that there were elements in the New Zealand agricultural economic and social situation which he found very disturbing. Between 1960 and 1970 the number of farm holdings had declined by 11,000, and a corrollary to this had been an increase in the size of farm holdings. The situation had become worse in 1970 and 1971, arid had continued in 1972 and 1973, although at a reduced rate. This trend has continued in the face of an historical attitude in New Zealand against amalgamation, and in favour of placing young men on farms,” Professor Stewart said.

There was no evidence that this amalgamation of farms had been followed by an increase in productivity on the farms, but farmer profitability had improved. It was difficuk to make a case for amalgamation, but a strong case could be made for greater intensification on farms.

“The national interest is best served by arresting the run-down in the number of farms while the individual interest is best served by amalgamation,’* he said. “Are these tjvo trends irreconcilable?”

The health art! stability of rural society would benefit if the trend toverds amalgamation was arrested. It was vitality in the farm sector in relation to other sectors in the economy which was needed, he said. "An entirely new, and very frightening cost struc-

ture in farming has arisen in the last two years,” Professor Stewart said. “The community has to understand that all its demands — for better health services, for better education, for more money to spend at the T.A.B. — cannot be met without a buoyant farming sector,” he said. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Moyle), who presented two awards for agricultural journalism, said that he had to agree with much of what Professor Stewart had said because their views were very similar, and that he might invite him “to join my think tank.” Mr R. M. A. Harman, the agricultural reporter of the “Dominion,” won the Dalgety award for agricultural journalism for articles on the financial situation of the Wairarapa hill-country farmers. The runner-up was Mr N. Rennie, of Palmerston North, feature writer of the “New Zealand Farmer,” for a twopart feature on the feasibility of a sugar-beet industry in mid-Canterbury.