AGRICULTURAL YEAR

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 288, 5 September 1928, Page 13

AGRICULTURAL YEAR

REMARKABLE RESULTS SUBSTANTIAL PRODUCTION INCREASED REVIEW BY MINISTER Marked by increased production of primary staples and enhanced market values for the produce — a dual movement which was reflected in a substantial increase in the volume and value of the Dominion’s exports—New Zealand’s agricultural year 1927-28 is described as outstanding by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. 0. J. Hawken) in his annual report to Parliament, presented yesterday. “The season’s results are all the more remarkable in that they were achieved t despite the handicap of abnormally droughty weather conditions experienced in several of the principal dairying and fattening districts,” the Minister states. “The producing situation was restored by a very favourable autumn, to which the affected farming industries responded in a manner characteristic of this country, with its great natural advantages. A very satisfactory account can be given of almost every branch of farming. On the pastoral side sheep stocks increased by over one and a third million head during the year and now stand at the highest numerical level in the Dominion's history. Wool production naturally followed this upward movement, and growers were further favoured by a market of surprising strength, which increased their returns by several millions. With a record lamb crop to work on, the frozen meat trade established a new peak in this section. Here again advancing prices for fnt stock ruled during the season. With the help of pasture-topjdressing and other favourable influences, there seems no reason why our flocks should not reach the thirty million mark in the near future. Beef for Export. “Cattle, apart from dairy cows, registered a slight decline in the last enumeration, but the output of beef for export showed a remarkable recovery from the drastic shrinkage of the preceding season. With the better prices ruling for beef, prospects are more encouraging, and it is hoped that cattle raising will regain its former stability, even if only to fill the requirements of pasture maagement on the rougher grasslands. Advance In Dairy Industry. “The dairy industry embodies the most intensive and specialised unit of the larger farming groups in New Zealand, and stands pre-eminently for close settlement of the land; its fortunes are, therefore, of special interest and import to the whole community. The past year registered a further advance in the industry’s main lines of production, an appreciable increase in butter more than counter-balancing a slight decrease in cheese. Our exportable surplus of butter and cheese has now reached the impressive quantity of 75.000 tons for each of these products. Dried milk and casein also showed increased production during the year. “Following the preceding lean year, .the financial returns to the industry were on a considerably higher lever, and final payments to suppliers of consigning factories are likely to be still better in proportion, owing to the steady rising of market prices in the latter part of the season. The country’s stock of dairy cows is again on the up grade in point of numbers, while herd-improvement activities are steadily gaining in volume and practical results. Export of VeaL “The veal export trade is now stabilising on a good footing, and promises to become . quite a large business, especially when combined with the value of the calfskins. The manufacture of gelatine as a related industry is an important potential development which is now being investigated. Pork Production. “Rg raising and pork production are showing all-round expansion. The last statistical returns recorded a further large increase in pigs in the Dominion, and the season’s export of pork, promoted by co-operative enterprise, and assisted by a Government subsidy on the shipping freight, increased by nearly 70 per cent. Problems connected with the industry are now being attacked by trained investigators, and various practical measures for improvement in breeding, etc., are now under way. This country, in short, has set out to win, or merit, a much larger share of the market for pig products provided by the Motherland. The Wheat Yield. “The chief feature of the arable cropping section was a substantial increase in the urea under wheat, combined with a very high average yield. At over 38 bushels an acre a total yield of some ten million bushels seems assured when thrashings are completed, which would render the Dominion more than independent of wheat importations for some time to come. Among other cereals somewhat heavy shrinkages were recorded in the area of oats and barley, though satisfactory per acre yields wore secured. Maize remained practically stationary. Million Cases of Fruit. “The fruit-growing industry excelled itself during the year b.v exporting for the first time in its history over a million packages of apples and pears, besides, making due provision for domestic consumption. The British market, however, has not given such good returns as in