FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 28, 3 January 1931, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL DEVELOPMENT.

A YEAR OF PROGRESS. (By “Ploughshare.) The year just ended has marked a period in the agricultural and pastoral affairs of the Dominion which has been associated with grave anxiety to the man on the land, the causes of which in the main has been beyond his control. In the disposal of the" chief lines of produce the farmer has been compelled to &01l on a lower market level than he has known for very many years, and it has followed as a natural sequence that the depressed markets have been reflected in a curtailment of business in the towns which depend upon agricultural prosperity for their commercial welfare. It is not the intention of these notes to deal with causes which contribute towards the depression which is world-wide in its influence and largely beyond our power to alter. It can safely be noted, however, that future conceptions of market values for primary products will need to be founded on a different basis than those which have prevailed for some years past, and doubtless in. the process of readjustment many will bo severely hit financially. Poßsibly wo have been rather too optimistic regarding the continuance of prices on a high level, and this sudden and completo reversal in market rates for stock and produce should have the salutary effect of causing* the exercise of more caution than has been the rule in the past when markets were more buoyant. A gleam of comfort is conveyed in recent advices from overseas that rock bottom has 'been reached in the great industrial centres and that trade and spending power may be expected to show a slow improvement in the future. Compared with countries less favoured by natural conditions for farming, we have not sufforod so long nor so severely aa others, and there is no. need for undue pessimism or a lo3s of faith in the primary industries. New Zealand is an essentially agricultural country endowed with great natural resources which as yet have been only partly developed and, what is more, it may be said with all due modesty that the farmers of this country are as progress ive and as capable as their fellow producers in other parts of the world. By this it is not to be inferred that New Zealand farmers know all that is to be known about farming in all its branches nor that they have developed a highly systematised general fa.rm practice, lout there can bo no gainsaying the fact that in tjic development of this country tho men on the land havo always 6hown enterprise and adaptability to meet changes that have taken plape. The present depression will no doubt temporarily retard development to some extent because tho full effect of lower incomes has yet to ‘be realised and caution will be exercised in connection with costs while tho balance between receipts and expenditure is being regained. ‘ HEAVIER YIELDS PER ACRE.

That the future of farming in the Dominion can be regarded more hopefully is a cheering fact for by the aid of new methods which are rapidly becoming incorporated into general farm practico the land is being made to produce heavier yields per acre without sacrificing fertility. It is true that tho increased yield entails additional outlay in manures and equipment, but in the light of experiments and observations which are being carefully conducted farmers are now able to ascertain with some degree of accuracy how to keep tho outgoing expenditure within safe limits so that profits may bo shown on the investment. The unusually low prices ruling at present cannot be regarded as permanent, otherwise it would be impossible to carry on, but the country has survived similar setbacks in the past when farmers wore not so well prepared to meet adversity as thoy are at present. The knock-out blow has not yet been delivered, and the primary producers have still a reverse punch which will carry them through, although they are up against it for the time being. The counter move in this contest is the will to win and by bringing into more effective use the knowledge that is being made available as to how best to meet lower prices with increased production. To this end there is available tho knowledge and service of officers of the Department of Agriculture who have had long years of practical experience in investigating ana solving problems of every day importance to the working farmer The day has passed when research’and experiments, in agricultural science were regarded as an interesting thoory, but not practicable in ordinary practice. Progressive farmers now recognise that there is much to be gained by working in co-operation with trained men whose business it is to ascertain facts and prove the practicability of newer and better methods. HELPFUL CO-OPERATION. Much of the knowledge that we have to-day in respect to farming is direct and striking evidence of the value of what may be achieved by exchange of ideas and comparison of varying experiences. A great many of the practices that now constitute sound farming have been discovered and proved worth while, 1 not in the laboratory or on the isolated expern mental plot, but on the _ farm itself. Departmental officers recognise that the working farmer is a persistent and attentive experimentalist and while, individually, his observations and methods may be incomplete, and his deductions not altogether justified, the collective work of farmers on their own properties has contributed substantially to the general store of knowledge about what is and what is not good farming. Hence it is that officers of the State supported departments are desirous of the fullest co-operation possible with farmers working under actual conditions so that carefully planned and systematised research may be undertaken and developed in every phase of usefulness. BETTER PASTURES. At this time it is appropriate to draw attention to some of the more outstanding examples of successful co-operation which are beginning to show definite results and point the _ way towards much greater development in the future. In this connection the abandonment of arable farming hae brought tho need for better and more permanent pastures. This change has opened a wide range for research and experiments with topdressing fertilisers in which co-operafivo efforts have established sound data us a guide to coots and results which may be calculated with workable accuracy. Not on isolated farms, but over a wide range of country of varying conditions it is now established that, by tho judicious iisfi-'of fertilisers and subsequent management of the grazing areas, the earning power of .the land can be economically increased to an extent which has been almost beyond belief. By this development a new conception of farming possibilities has been introduced, .and with it the problem of how to get the greatest advantage through propier utilisation of the extra growth. Valuable advice has been made available with regard to tho feeding Eind control of pastures so that nothing produced will tie lost. In this district the innovation of converting surplus grass into ensiLage is becoming increasingly popular. Three seasons ago ensilage was practically unknown, hero and many and varied were tho objections raised when farmers were urged to give it a trial. Advice from the Department of Agriculture and practical demonstration on farms have now established the feeding value of ensilage and overcome the objections that were raised regarding the labour costs and the risk of failure in manufacture. No propaganda is now needed to advance tho merits of ensilage which is proved by the existence of numerous stacks put together everywhere during the past month. It has been found no more difficult to gather in ensilage than it is to make good hay, thanks to the makers of machinery who have been enterprising in making available laboursaving devices which enable large quantities of material to be dealt with quickly and inexpensively. Although it i 3 apparent that a greater quantity of reserve food is now being saved than formorly, it must be pointed out that large quantities of surplus summer grass are still allowed to remain unused when grown.

This is not economy and indicates a direction where earnings can bo increased with little cash outlay. Another important feature bearing on grassland farming is tho investigation in progress to select typos and strains of grass and clover seeds which have the characters essential to prolific growth and permanency. Certified supplies of these specially selected seed stocks are now becoming available in larger lines and, although more expensive just now, the indications are that sufficient will soon be forthcoming to meet the demand at reasonable prices. FARM COMPETITIONS.

The small farm competitions which have been inaugurated during tho past year provide another avenue from which it is expected to secure definite .figures relative to costs and the advantage of good management. This venture is among tho first, if not actually the first, of its kind that has been undertaken in the Dominion and represents the collective efforts of tho fields division, the Chamber of Commerce and the farmer. In inaugurating this new venture some initial difficulties were presented in framing the conditions of the competitions but as more experience is gainod os a’ result of the first year’s operations modifications or alterations can bo easily introduced if this is found _ necessary. What is sought for is reliable information based on actual working conditions which are capable of being incorporated into general practice. The extension of the scope of Boys and Girls’ Clubs so as to embrace the rearing of calves by school children is still another direction where progressive work has been introduced into this district during the year and one which gives promise of groat success in the future. Although the work of children’s clubs forms only a part of primary school work, it is decidedly useful in fostering in the youth a love of nature and outdoor activities. The farmers of tho future will be drawn from the children of to-day, and tho better they can be equipped with knowledge, including tho rudimentary principles of how to grow plants, or to rear stock, the easier it will be for them to succeed when they oventually take up farming as a vocation. IMPROVEMENT IN STOCK. In the stock department there is also evidence that moro attention is being given to breeding a better class of utility animal than formerly. Steady progress in this direction has been apparent for many years, especially where specialisation has been followed to meet market requirements as in the fat lamb trade. Similar work is now in progress in connection with tho pig raising industry, and if dairy farmers would only apply themselves moro seriously to developing this usoful sideline the by-products from their farms could be tunied to far greater profitable account than is tho case on the majority of farms at present. It is a matter for satisfaction to note that the butter-fat production per cow is steadily improving as a result of a wider recognition of the advantages of testing and better feeding. Something like 300,000 dairy cows are at present under the observation of testing associations which are performing a distinctly useful service in conjunction with the calfmarking scheme in finding out the unprofitable cows and ensuring a supply of herd replacements with inherited milking and butterfat qualities. There is no doubt that a still greater use of cow testing associations would be of advantage, but too many fanners still shy at the small expense and trouble entailed to secure facts in connection with their herds which are an essential part of their business. FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT. Associated with testing is proper feeding, and, while no amount of care in this respect will convert an out and out dud into a profitable member of the herd, it is a fact that large numbors of cows which possess capabilities of showing high returns are prevented from demonstrating thoir true worth because of improper and insufficient feeding. These comments are not intended to be accepted as fault-finding, but rather as a means of drawing attention to some of the features in management where it has been proved that production can be increased without adding materially to tho cost. While it is earnestly hoped that tho clouds of depression will soon pass away, it is certain that it will take considerable time for tho country to recover from the effects of a sadly restricted income, and it will be found that those who havo been able to withstand its bad influence the best are those who are taking every advantage that is offering to increase their revenue and at the same time keeping a prudent control on all unnecessary expenditure, but not to the extreme extent of curtailing operations which experience has shown to be profitable and essential to sound farming practico.

BRADFORD MARKET. LONDON, Jan. 1. The. Bradford tops market is quietly firm, crossbreds being slightly moro aotive. .

To-day’s quotations compare as follow with those previously cabled:

THE MONEY MARKET. BANK OF ENGLAND RETURN. LONDON, Jan. 1. The following is tho Bank of England return: TRKT7F. DEPARTMENT

ISSUB UJSt'AKT.M.JIiJNI. £ Note issue in circulation 368,801,565 Banking department 38,824,056 . - £407,625,621 £ Government debt ............... 11,015,100 Other Government securities .. 233,138,442 Other securities 11,477,042 Silver coin 4,369,416 Gold coin and bullion 14 ■,626,621 £407,625,621 BANKING DEPARTMENT. £ Proprietors’ capital 14,553,000 Public deposits 6,580,599 Other deposits (bankers) ...... 132,449,330 Other accounts ~6,159,228 Seven-day and other bills 1,264 £193,143,676 Securities — Government 81,021,247 Discounts and advances 48,962,458 Other securities 23,690,166 •Notes in reserve 38,824,056 Gold and silver coin 645,749 £193,143,676 Proportion of reserve to liabilities, 22.50 per cent., short loans 24 per cent., throe month bills 2 9-32 per cent. LONDON BANK CLEARANCES. LONDON, Jan. 2. An illustration of tho acute depression and of tho reduction in the bulk of both wholesale and retail trade is givon in tho statement of the London Bankers’ Clearing House. During 1930 the turnover was £1,338,000,000 below that of 1929, dospito the first half-year showing a comparative increase of £206,000,000. WHITE STAR LINE. LONDON, Jan. 1, The White Star Line, Limited, announces that it is unable to pay the 64 per cent cumulative preference dividend due to-day, and that it has requested the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company to pay it within thirty days.

REFRIGERATING COMPANY. ANNUAL REPORT. Per Pross Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 2. Tho forty-third annual report and bal-ance-sheet of tho Now Zealand Refrigerating Co.. Ltd., for tho year ending October 31, to bo presented to tho annual mooting of shareholders, states; “The directors regret that owing to tho abnormal fall in values of all animal products and particularly of by-products, the accounts for tho yoar ended October 31, 1930, show a loss on tho year’s operations. In accordance with our very satisfactory; working arrangemonts with tho Waitaki Farmers’ Frcozing Company, Ltd., it has boon necessary to reconsidor tho price at which tho Pukeuri works wero sold to them, and their debentures havo boon reduced to £IOO,OOO. After providing for the above and adding the amount brought forward from last year, the amount available for appropriation is £12,167 15s 7d, which tho directors recommond should bo carried forward to the credit of tho profit and loss account. Tho director rotiring in accordance with tho auricles is Mr 11. A. Knight, who, being eligible offers himself for re-olection.” Tho balanco-sheet shows a loss on tho year's operations of £104,472. Another item on tho debit sido of tho profit and loss account is the cancellation of debentures on the Pukeuri Frcozing Works. The £32,500 loss is being balanced by tho transference of £IIO,OOO from the reservo account.

Tho New Zealand Refrigerating Company is tho fourth of tho big moat companies to record a heavy loss on the past year’s operations. Tho Canterbury Frozen Moat Co. Ltd. showed a loss of £47,388 last year, and of £48,144 for the preceding year. ’ Tho Wellington Meat Export Co.’s loss was £43,539 last year and £24,161 in 1929. The Gear Meat Company, for the first time in its history, reported, a loss of £33,496 for the last year’s operations.

Dec. 4. Doc. 11. Doc. 18. Jan. 1. Per lb Per lb Per lb Per lb d. d. d. d. Sixty-fours ... 24 23 224 22 Sixties .... 214 214 20 20 Fifty-sixes ... 154 15 15 15 Fifties .... li 124 12 12 Forty-sixes ... 104 10 93 Of Forties .... 10 93 92 93