FARMING YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 113, 9 November 1937, Page 10

FARMING YEAR

MINISTER'S REPORT

INCREASE IN PRODUCTION

"In spite of somewhat adverse seasonal conditions, production has been more than maintained, and the quality of our products continues to attract an increasing number of buyers in available markets," states the Minister' of Agriculture (the Hon. W. L. Martin) ■in his annual report, which was tabled in the House of Representatives this afternoon.

"Phenomenal prices have rulcJ for wool, and the various classes of meat have'continued to bring a profitable return for the producer, but the butter .market is still subject to disturbing fluctuations. For the purpose of sheltering the dairy farmer from the vicissitudes of world prices the Government has inaugurated a system of f.o.b. purchase at fixed prices,, and the price for the coming season has been designed to give the farmer of reasonable efficiency a fair standard of living. As yet it is impossible to forecast either volumes or prices during the coming export season, but it will be the objective of the Department of Agriculture by research and educational and instructional work to maintain the reputation which has been won in past years for the products of the Dominion. The farmer's problems are the Department's problems, and by blending science with practice we have made steady progress. "One gratifying feature of the production year has been the increase m the number of sheep in the Dominion. The total number of sheep in New Zealand on April 30 last was 31,305,818, as against 30,113,704 at the corresponding date last year. This is the highest number ever recorded, the previous record being 30,841,287 in 1930. Particularly significant is the further increase in the number of breeding ewes. The total on April 30 last was 19,332,077, an advance of 663,116 on the previous year, and the Dominion record. These figures give every reason to expect an increase in the mutton and lamb exports during the coming season. BUTTERFAT RETURNS. "There has been a slight decrease in the number .of dairy cows, but a gratifying rise in the average butterfat returns. The total number of cows in milk and dry in 1936-37 was 1,935,524, as against 1,951,507 for the previous season, while the totals for cows in milk were 1,805,405 and 1,823,358 respectively. The average butterfat returns per cow for the season just ended were 228.561b for cows in milk and dry, as against 217.931b for the previous season. The cows in milk averaged 245.051b last season, as compared with 233.251b for 1935-36. "Year by year pig-raising is becoming an increasingly valuable adjunct to dairying, and to'provide for the orderly expansion of the industry^the Government has sponsored the setting up of national and district pig councils, whose duty it will be to provide instructional service in pig production and safeguard the quality of exports """The 1 question of livestock research has become a P«a«ng one in recent years, and, although • the health of our animals is good in comparison with other countries the increases in our flocks and herds consequent upon pastures bring in their train Problems of disease and nutrition. To meet this situation the Government has agreed to extend the research and instructional activities in connection with livestock management.- Theerecion of a new laboratory at Wallaceville, costing £15,000, has been .f«t ho"sed' and increases in the staff Willie made when suitable men can be secured "At the beginning of the year tne Government purchased Flock House and station from the trustees of the New Zealand Sheep-owners' AcknowSmentof Debt to British Seamen Fund, and is now offering facilities to New Zealand boys to take up farming. The boys taking advantage of Jhis scheme spend a year at Flock House, and,then three years' apprenticeship on approved farms. By tnis means the Government is endeavourSi 3 to assist the farmer in obtaining a supply of skilled labour. The Flock House activities are supplementary to rt, o Tjtiakiira Training Farm. i