FARMERS’ PART

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 110, 3 February 1941, Page 8

FARMERS’ PART

Response To Primary Production Plan SURVEY BY MINISTER Answering Great Britain s Call An outline of tlie progress of tlie primary production plan which was drawn up before the opening of the current season was given by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Barclay, during an address at. tlie opening of the Golden Bay .Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s annual show on Saturday. •“i'lie response of the farmers of New Zealand to the production programme which was issued at. the beginning of the present production season shows that our farmers are fully alive to the part which they have to. play in tlie present, war,” said the Minister. "This plan was formulated by tlie Government in consultation with tlie National Council of Primary Production, and was based on the requirements of the United Kingdom. Immediately the plan was announced it received the support of the various farmers’ and workers’ organizations, and though we have some distance to go before we reach the end of the season there are already indications that in the most important parts the plan will be fulfilled. . , . “The result reflects the greatest credit on the farmers of the Dominion, and on behalf of the Government I wish to extend to all concerned our thanks and heartiest congratulations. “As the bulk of the increases asked for were animal products, it was essential that adequate feed supplies should be available to maintain our flocks and herds in. good condition, and an appeal was made for the growing of additional areas of supplementary forage crops and for the saving of all surplus grass for hay and silage. In all parts of the country increased acreage of such crops as rape, turnips, swedes, chou moellier. and mangels have been sown, and as a result of an abundant spring pasture growth and organized determined effort, the amount of grass cut for hay and silage is well above the normal figures. 11,000 Acres of Maize. “A request was also made for the growing of 11.000 acres of maize, and present indications are that this objective will be achieved. Much of this maize is being grown by the Maoris of the East Coast ami Bay of Plenty districts, and their effort is worthy of the traditions of a great race. In this drive for the provision of extra feed, there has been only one notable failure The North Island was asked to sow from 20,000 to 30,000 acres of barley, principally for pig feed, but less than 5000 acres are being grown.. It may be that we set the figure too high, but I hope that we will get a better response next year. The wheat acreage is also below the figure aimed at, but the indications are that-the crops will be heavier than, usual. “The plan also called for the growing of about 14,000 acres of linen flax, and as the burden of putting down this area fell on farmers on selected areas of the South Island, I think that the response is one of which we can be justly proud. Over 13,000 acres were sown, and one of the features of the crops has been the care taken in cultivation. Linen flax is a new crop for New Zealand, but when the call came from the Mother Country there was a wonderful response. I have no doubt that this crop will be still larger next year, and the harvesting and processing of the flax will provide new avenues of employment for large numbers of persons in the South Island. “In times of peace it has been the practice of New Zealand, farmers to import considerable quantities of brassica seeds, but the sources of supply of these seeds have either been cut off or curtailed. Under the direction of the Department of Agriculture every effort is being made to make the Dominion self-supporting in certified varieties of brassica seeds, and there is every indication that New Zealand will not only be self-supporting in these seeds, but may have surpluses in some cases for export. There has also been a considerable increase in the area sown in peas for export. Commodities For Britain.

“Let us now turn to the production of those commodities which Great Britain requires today. At the beginning of the present season the Home Government asked us to increase _our cheese production by at least 15,000 tons on last year’s figures. This meant switching over suppliers from butter to cheese factories, and in only a few instances was it necessary to issue an order for the change to be made. The additional 15,000 tons of cheese has already been forthcoming, but there have been certain losses of produce between here and the United Kingdom and the British authorities, in reply to an inquiry from us. have advised a further change-over of supply from butter to cheese where practicable. This is being brought about, and I am sure that the dairyfarmers will respond readily to this request. “In spite of the demand for an increased volume of cheese the production of butter seems likely to be maintained. and it can be said that the dairy -farmers of the Dominion have responded magnificently to the need.-, of war. No only have they achieved the objectives set for them in the production of dairy produce, but on them also has fallen 'almost the whole of the task of producing an additional 10,000 tones of bacon. The total killings ot pig meat for the three mouths ended December last were approximately 13,400 tons, as against 0780 tons. This result has been achieved without the importation of additional feed supplies and shows that the farmers have provided for greater areas of supplementary crops.' There is also evidence that pigs generally are being better housed, and better managed, and the grading figures disclose a commendable standard ot quality in the baconers sent to the works. “The plan which was drafted at the beginning ot the season also called for the maintenance of output of mutton, lamb and beef, and this is assured. This year’s lambing percentage was the best since 1036. and there tire 750.000 more lambs in the Dominion than there were first year. The high lambing figures show'that Hie ewes were wintered well, and were in good condition in the spring. The figures to hand also indicate that there will be an increase in the wool clip, ami thus one must extend one’s congratulations also to the sheep-farmer. “Soon we will be turning our minds to another production season, and I cannot stress too strongly the necessity for providing adequate feed supplies for our stock. Let every farmer ask himself: ‘ls my farm producing to Its highest capacity consistent with the maintenance of healthy flocks and herds, and the upkeep of soil fertility?’ In the fulfilment of this objective the farmer will find that the plough and the topdresser arc the implements of progress.”