FARM AND STATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20527, 10 April 1941, Page 4

FARM AND STATION

HIGHER OUTPUT DOMINION PROSPECTS A HEALTHY POSITION INCREASE IN AREAS CULTIVATION OF LAND Apart from man-power, which is not. considered in this stocktaking of cur farming activities, there is every indication that the stage is now better set than ever before for heavy farm production, states Mr. R. P. Connell, land utilisation officer, Department of Agriculture, in an article in the Journal of Agriculture last month.

. In the article, which was written before the drastic export cuts were announced, no mention is made of the prospects of smaller exports during the coming season, but, apart from that, it is interesting to note the development that has taken place and the reasons advanced to support the writer's contention that heavier farm production than ever before is possible.

The capacity of the land farmed is at its peak-point in our history, the article states, due primarily to the record total area under production, and this has more than counter-balanced any other changes in the total area of land occupied. Although the total occupied area declined by 203,000 acres during the last five years for which figures are available, the area in cultivation increased by 219,000 acres during the same period, outweighing the decline in occupied area to a greater degree than a comparison of the figures would suggest. Grassland Position The grassland position is stronger than at any other stage in our history, because of a replacement of worn-out or inferior pastures with permanent pastures with 'better grass species, together with a heavier and more extensive topdressing programme. “In view of the possible influence on future fertiliser supplies of the recent enemy action at Nauru, the momentum given to our pasture vitality by heavy recent topdressing promises to be particularly valuable,” the writer states. “If it is associated with suitable grazing and adequate feed conservation, it will allow production to be kept up for quite an appreciable period at a higher level than it could have been maintained

(By “The Gleaner”)

had recent topdressing been on a scale equal to that before 1935.” A strong grassland position was especially valuable in war economy. In round figures, 5,900.000 acres had been sown in pasture during the past 10 ! years. It was probable that twofifths of this would occupy the land only temporarily, leaving a sowing of 3,500,000 acres in permanent pastures. Figures given show that in 1939 19,721,949 acres were in cultivation in the Dominion, 57,602 acres in flax, 13,822,137 acres in tussock and native grasses, 4,387,367 acres in fern, scrub, and second growth, 2,923,043 acres in standing virgin bush, 1,989,174 acres barren and unproductive, 23,179,323 acres in unimproved occupied land, and 42,901,272 acres in total occupied land.

The quantity of fertiliser used declined, on an estimated amount, from 714,000 tons in 1939 to 702,000 tons last year, but last year’s figure was easily better than any previous total, apart from 1939, when 4,187,284 acres were topdressed. The area topdressed last year was not available. In 10 years there had been an increase of 80 per cent in the fertiliser used and a 45 per cent increase in acreage. It was assumed that the application per acre on grasslands had risen from 1J ewt. to 2 ; | cwt. during the 10 years. It was estimated that 135,000 tons had been used for arable crops.

I’owcr for the Farm The supply of power for the farm is greater than at any other period and is also more flexible and more adapted to the restricted supply of man-power, due to the increased role played by tractors. The numbers of tractors available were more than double those 10 years ago and totalled 11,284 in 1939-40, this being the first occasion they had reached five figures. Horses during the same period had decreased by more than 10 per cent to 258,567, including 122.245 draught and three-quarter draught. The farm power position, as reflected in horses and tractors, is adequate for a greater programme of work than will be assigned to it.

A review is made also of farm finance, and it is stated that farm finance appears to be available freely enough to ensure that no substantial increase in efficient production could be brought about by more ready borrowing facilities for farmers.

The live-stock position is fully consistent with the production of meat, cheese, wool, and butter being maintained at or about the current high level.