Economic change forces low input policy on farms

Press, 20 November 1987, Page 14

Economic change forces low input policy on farms

Adoption of a low input policy, with expenditure pruned by an average of $lO,OOO — that is the way many farmers are responding to economic change, according to a survey by Lincoln College sociologist, Dr John Fairweather.

Late last year, Dr Fairweather surveyed fanners in Hurunui and Clutha counties to get an indication of how they were responding to economic change. The main intention of his research was to look at pastoral farmers and determine what they thought of Government policy. Now his findings have become available in a research report released by the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit at Lincoln College.

While most of the surveyed farmers disapproved of Government policy there were 20 per cent who did approve, he said.

Nearly one quarter of surveyed farmers said they had to make a major adjustment. Few sought to

diversify, but over one quarter had developed new land uses. Most farmers wanted recognition of the problems they faced, and they wanted financial advice and change in Government policy.

Farmers were aware that primary production would be dominated by market-related factors, said Dr Fairweather. Results of the analysis showed that there were four different styles of management strategy:

• The financial manager emphasised market prices and decreasing costs of production. • The productivity increaser sought to boost

production from land and labour. • The individualistic worker praised control over farm work and avoided using contractors. -• The lifestyle farmer saw farm work as a craft and derived non-financial rewards from doing farm work well. Dr Fairweather’s findings have been presented to representatives of the primary industry, M.A.F., Rural Bank and Federated Farmers. Copies of the report are available through Lincoln College.

Evapotranspiration Christchurch: Thursday, Nov. 12 . . . 3.8 Friday, Nov. 13 1.6 Saturday, Nov. 14 . . . 1.5 Sunday, Nov. 15 ... . 3.8 Monday, Nov. 16. . . . 1.2 Tuesday, Nov. 17. . . . 2.9 Wednesday, Nov 18 . . 1.9 Weekly total 16.7 Average for Nov. 105 mm Culverden: Weekly total ..... 19.1 Average for Nov. 105 mm Timaru: Weekly total 18.2 Average for Nov. 105 mm Winchmore Irrigation Research Station: Weekly total 18.5 Average for Nov. 105 mm Kurow: Weekly total . . : . N.A. Average for Nov. 100 mm