GOOD FARMING

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 104, 26 January 1933, Page 6

GOOD FARMING

Increase in Production

REVIEW OF THE YEAR Advance in Dairying LOWER YIELD PER COW Good farm practice was largely responsible for increased production during the past year, according to a statement made by the Director-General of .Agriculture, Dr. U. J. iteakes, in a review of agricultural conditions iu 1932 prepared for "The Dominion.” In his survey Dr. Iteakes points out that the primary industries of the Dominion had on the whole a good year as. regards production, but unfortunately prices ruling for our staple products continue at low levels. The 1931-32 season, as a whole, was less favourable than the preceding year, but notwithstanding that the aggregate volume of production was increased. Great efforts made iu the dairy industry to increase production, as an offset to reduce prices, were mainly responsible for another large increase recorded in the number of dairy cows in 1932, the figure rising to a total of 1,702,070 head, compared with 1,601,633 In the preceding year, said Dr. Reakes. Production increased ■ from 322,000,000 lb. of butterfat in 1930-31 to 333,000,000 lb. in 1931-32 (interim figure), but this was not commensurate with the additional number of cows milked. Whereas the average production per cow in 1931 was 201 lb. butterfat, It fell in 1932 to approximately 196 lb. (interim figure). This was the second successive decrease, the peak production having been recorded at 218 lb. in 1930. It was evident that many cows of an inferior milking type were milked during the past two years, and probably the percentage of first-calf heifers was greater. Many sheepfarmers and others had, in fact, taken up dairying as a side-line in order to supplement their depleted income, making use of any cows they could obtain and utilising second-class grassland. Furthermore, climatic conditions in the 1931-32 season were on the whole not very favourable for milk production. Value of Dairy Produce. The export value of dairy produce for the 11 months ended November 30, 1932, amounted to £13,585,318, compared with £13,108,611 for the corresponding period in 1931, £16,534,33G in 1930, and £17,360,4-11 in 1929. The small increase in the 1932 figures compared wltn those for 1031 could hardly be taken as significant for the whole year, as a single shipment might make the difference. Moreover, the phenomenal fall in butter prices which set In towards the end of 1932 had not yet made itself fully felt on the statistics. The cheese manufacturing branch of the industry had received a great impetus from the higher market value of its commodity compared with butter and all dual-plant factories were making cheese this season. The market position at the end of the year, however, had appreciably weakened. Raising of Pigs. After a period of decline in number, the pig population of the Dominion appeared to be once more on the upgrade, the 1932 statistics showing a total of 513,416 head, compared with 476,194 in 1931 and 487,793 in 1930. In 1932 breeding sows included iu the total numbered 75,409, compared with 61,706 and 64,981 in the two preceding years (1930 and 1931) respectively. The export value of pig products fell from £460,899 for the first 11 months of 1930 to £269,506 for the same period of 1931, and to £245,122 in 1932. This represents a fall from £3/10/- per cwt in 1930 to approximately £2/10/- per cwt in 1931, and about £2 in 1932. Better prices were being received for our porker pigs on the London market toward the end of the past year. It was hoped that the activities of the Pig Industry Advisory Committee, organised during the year, combined with the better market prospects, would have the effect of definitely stimulating this sideline of the dairy industry with its great potentialities. Pasture Topdressing. “The manorial topdressing of pastures is closely associated with livestock production, more particularly in tbe case of the dairy industry,” said Dr. Reakes. "The falling-away in the use of artificial fertilisers in the autumn and winter of 1931 became so serious as to necessitate national action iu an endeavour to restore the practice to an adequate level. The Government, therefore, iu October subsidised the manufacture of superphosphate to the extent of 11/- per ton until the end of June, 1932, and tbe subsidy was subsequently renewed for a further twelve months. On tbe subsidy becoming operative superphosphate was reduced by 17/6 per ton, making the cash price f.o.r. at works £3/17/6. After some months, owing to the increased cost of sulphur brought about by the rise in dollar exchange, the price had to be advanced 5/- per ton, but was later reduced to £4. “In the lowering of price resultant on tbe operation of tbe subsidy has had a marked effect in stimulating the use of artificial fertilisers, as shown by tbe amount used in the JanuaryJune period of the last four years, as follows: 1929, 228.000 tons; 1930, 212,000 tons: 1931, 152,000 tons: .1932, 222,000 tons. From these figures it can be seen that virtually tbe 1929 position has been recovered so far as actual tonnage used is concerned. "The fact, however, that in the past three years cows have increased by over four hundred thousand would seem to show that there is considerable leeway yet to make up. This, however, Is not great, so far as dairying is concerned, as the figures indicate, inasmuch as topdressing has steadily declined during the past two years on purely sheep country, and almost the whole of tbe Increase can be credited to dairying grassland.”