HIGH PRODUCTION

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 29, 28 October 1932, Page 7

HIGH PRODUCTION

Farmers Meet Adversity COSTS AND RECEIPTS Difficult Year Reviewed REDUCTION IN FLOCKS Factors relating to primary production in New Zealand during the year ended March 31 last, are to be found in considerable detail in the annual report of the Department of Agriculture, which was presented to Parliament this week. All phases of agricultural, activity are comprehensively reviewed, particular emphasis being laid on the satisfactory results obtained ».v linking advisory field senices witn current scientific research work. In a preface to the report the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. C. E. Macmillan, states that the maintenance of primary production at a high level generaily, in the face of abnormally difficult weather conditions which prevailed over large parts of the country during the season, was worthy of special note. In too many cases the farmer’s best efforts had been unable to bridge the gap between costs and receipts. Brunt of Price Fall. Those sections of the pastoral industry represented by meat and wool were bearing the brunt of the price fall, and this was largely responsible for a disquieting feature of the present position. The extremely low price of wool in particular had obviously led to heavy over-selling of sheep and lambs for the meat trade by farmers compelled to realise in the effort to meet, their financial commitments. The dairying industry, fortunately, had been hit less hard, and at present constituted a particularly valuable factor in the export trade, which formed such an essential part of the Dominion’s financial structure. “The Government,” Mr. Macmillan continued, “is fully alive to the vital necessity of maintaining primary production and keeping farmers effective,ly. on the land, and is employing all available .resources for this .purpose. The outlook is not without encouraging features. The reactions of the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa may be expected to manifest themselves appreciably before long, and there is hope that further developments on wider lines toward price-level restoration may follow.”

Production Checked. The Director-General of Agriculture, Dr. C. J. Reakes, said that consequent upon unfavourable conditions in 1931, the continued increasing production which had been so noticeable during the past few years was checked, to some extent. ) However, .except in the case of arable crops, which showed a marked falling-off, the average-yield per acre being much below normal,'an increase had again to be recorded in bur main ■ products. Iu the case-of dairy produce, .yields could be best shown by taking the figures of each dairying year ending on July 31. In the period August 1, 1929, to July 31, 1930, the increase of butted fat production over the preceding year was 10.40 per; cent.; from August 1, 1930, to July 31,1931, the corresponding increase was 2.50 per cent., and for the year ending July 31, 1932, the increase over the preceding year was 5.28 per cent. Considering the unfavourable season, this last-mentioned aggregate, which represents nearly 9000 additional tons of butter-fat, must be regarded as very satisfactory, A well-marked decreased average yield per cow occurred, and this would naturally have resulted in a decrease in the aggregate production of butter-fat, but for the fact that it was more than counterbalanced by a greater number of cows being milked on dairy-farms, while a number of sheep-farmers started small dairy herds by way of assisting their finances in tlie face of low values for sheep-products. Cold, Spring Weather. “Te falling-off of the average milkyield per cow was undoubtedly attributable in part to the cold dry spring weather, followed by a dry summer in large areas of the country, and the effect of this upon supply of feed,” said Dr. Reakes. “Another factor of importance was the decreased use of fertiliser top-drcssing.of pastures, due to the lowered purchasing-power of farmers. The provision of a subsidy on superphosphate improved the position, and it is evident that top-dressing on a more extensive aud reasonably adequate scale is being brought about. “A feature of the year’s operations lay in the heavy slaughtering of sheep and lambs at meat-freezing works, the figures for the twelve months ending March 31 showing an increase of 942,585 sheep aud 491,707 lambs, the proportion of killings to total stocks being higher than usual. A larger proportion of old ewes than usual is included iu the sheep figures, and this is bound to be reflected in the number of breeding ewes returned in the next sheep returns. “Owing to the seasonal conditions, the woolclip was somewat lacking iu style and character, while selliug values reached a very low level. This, with markedly reduced prices for mutton and lamb, has seriously affected the finances of sheep farmers. Additional trouble has been caused by low values for sheep and lamb by-products, and .altogether sheep farmers are having a very hard and anxious time. Heavy Slaughterings. “The heavy slaughtering already mentioned was doubtless the result of attempts to make as many realisations as possible. While the anticipated large reductions in sheep stocks cannot be regarded with equanimity it may have some compensating: effect in reducing the bulk of wool to be marketed and thereby helping to harden prices. “Taking the year as a whole,” concluded Dr. Reakes, “the Dominion has come through very well iu the matter of production, considering the adverse weather conditions and the severe financial depression existing. Notwithstanding the increased bulk of lamb, mutton, and dairy-produce shipped, the policy of the Meat and Dairy Boards in regulating shipments has prevented any periods of badly glutted markets occurring, activity in getting our (butter sold to a greater extent in the Midlands and North of England being of material aid in this. “There is still ample room for an increased distribution of our produce in portions of Great Britain, where hitherto it has not gone much into consumption, aud greater activity is now being shown in seeking markets in other countries, a line of action which is most desirable.”