The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1930. PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1930. PRIMARY PRODUCTION

The opinion that tire general fall in values for all primary products the world over is more an indication that a period of comparatively low prices lies ahead of tire farmer than of overproduction having been reached, is expressed by tire Director-General of Agriculture (Dr O. J. Reakes) in his annual (report presented to Parliament. The report reveals marked progress in production and the use of scientific method in primary industries. The season of 1929-30, states the report, has been marked by a serious decline in values of export commodities, almost without exception, with a consequent shrinkage of national income. Had the lower price levels been confined entirely to those products from grassland—wool, meat, and butter-fat, the production of which is steadily expanding—it could be viewed that a. temporary saturation point for these, our major expotrs. had been reached on our present overseas markets; (but such is certainly not the case, and the general fall in valuets for all primary products the world over is more an indication that a period of comparatively low prices lies ahead of the farmer than of over-production having been reached. The policy of ‘increased production oh an economic basis’’ fatill holds true, as New Zealand’s remedy for lowering prices, combined with ever-improving quality to enable the markets we have to be held and extended. So far as increased production of our grassland products is concerned—wool, meat, and butter-fat, from which the major portion of our national income is primarily derived—the position is exceedingly satisfactory, and the past season marks a new high level. In the five-year period 1921-25 the average annual value of ■ grassland products on a standard.,price basis was £34,626,000. During the five years 1925 30 the average annual value amounted to £41,456,000. Even more significant is the yearly increase since 1925 (calculated on the same standard price basis) over the average of the previous five years, which indicates the upward movement that is taking place', and winch is being more than maintained. The figures showing tins increase are as follows:

In no period of New Zealand’s history has production increased to the extent that is taking place at the present time, and this i« a direct reflection of improving farm practices in which top-dresfiiig, better stock, and better grassland management are all playing their parts. The essentials in grassland farming lire pasture, livestock and management. All these three factors are equally important. ■lmprovement in livestock and improvement in management are generally recognised by farmers, while herd-testing and culling, animal hygiene, top-dressing, controlled grazing, and grassland manipulation generally are becoming standard practices. The significance of the actual improvement in the components of grassland itself, apart from that brought about by management, has, however, up to the present, not been sufficiently recognised. In point of fact, strain in grasses and clovers is of equal importance to top-dressing or any other of the factors of management. All our common grasses and clovers consist of a large number of types as essentially different from one another in performance and value as are livestock. Until such time as pasture species become graded and pedigreed, as is becoming tlie case with livestock, the full measure of scientific grassland farming cannot be realised, The report adds tlmb the Work of the plant research Station at UalmCrStoli North lias (deafly showil the importance Of strain In ryegrass, cocksfoot, ufiiite a (id red clover, and has demonstrated that many pastures in New Zealand consist of strains of outstanding men l ", showing high leaf production,' a long seasonal growth, and a high degree of permanence.'-

Approximate Amount per cent. Yea.r of increase. of increase. 1025-26 ... £2,324,000 6.7 1026-27 4,804,000 13.9 1927-28 6,524,000 18.8 1928-29 8,624,000 24.9 1929-30 ... 11,374,000 34.3