SHEEP FARMERS’ YEAR

Evening Star, Issue 18717, 20 August 1924, Page 4

SHEEP FARMERS’ YEAR

THE GREAT WEALTH PRODUCER. AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 19. “It seems evident that this country must bo prepared in the near future to meet increasing competition with most of its staple exports on tho world’s markets, accompanied probably by a lower range of values,” states Mr Nosworthy (Minister of Agriculture), in his annual report. ‘‘The self-reliant course for meeting this position is by increased efficiency at all points, by better farming, an increased output of higher quality of produce, and lower cost of production, handling, transport, and marketing. There is also room for a greatly extended, sound, co-opera-tivo effort along tho chain from the producer to the consumer. Well-directed scientific research can bo of great and far-reaching assistance at all points. We should not presume too much on the natural advantages of our country, but build well and soundly on the fine foundation they have given ns. The feature of the year was the remarkable rise in the wool market. All classes of wool were in strong demand, cross-breds sharing in tho advance even in greater proportion than finer sorts. The, fifteen or sixteen million sterling realised by the clip have been well distributed over both islands. The export value of milk products for the past year is 18J,- millions sterling, chiefly representing butter and cheese, but also including a substantial quantity of milk powder, preserved milk, and casein. “ It is satisfactory to be able to record a further large development in tho herdtesting movement, bringing _ the total number of cows so dealt with up to 150,000. “ Inquiries indicate that the area sown in wheat in the autumn of the current year is about the same us tho total area sown in 1923; further, that preparations are being made by farmers for considerable additional sowings in the ensuing spring. There are thus grounds for hoping that tho total wheat area for tho 1924-25 season will meet the dominion’s requirements for the next year, provided a normal yield is secured. Full self-sup-port as regards essential breadstuff's is very desirable. “"Considered from a broad viewpoint, on the year’s returns in wool, mutton, lamb, and bv-products combined, the sheep stands out as still the leading primary wealth-producer in the dominion’s agricultural industry. Altogether 1923-24 will he remembered ns a sheep farmers’ year par excellence.”