DAIRY INSTRUCTION

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 196, 21 August 1935, Page 12

DAIRY INSTRUCTION

Southern Plea for Experts • VETERINARIANS WANTED There appear lo be rather mixed feelings in the dairy industry regarding the Dairy- Board’s proposal_ to _ spend seme £35',000 a year on the institution of a national scheme for the instruction of dairy- farmers. "While it is gencially admitted that such a scheme would offer benefits to both producer consumer, the suggestion of -Mr. C. PAgar, deputy-chairman of the board, Unit 100 instructors be appointed is lining questioned in some quarters. If the scheme is put into practice it will be under the supervision of the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture. It is thought that it will be difficult to obtain 100 men sufficiently qualified to undertake sucli work, and Mr. A. Leslie, veterinary lecturer at Lincoln College, criticised the scheme very strongly- last week. Mr. Leslie said that this plan to assist the farmer xvould not prove to be in the farmer’s interests,, and that the Government should build up the strength of the Department of Agriculture by tho appointment of expert veterinary officers. These men would offer their scientific knowledge for tho improvement of dairy- produce as wel as their services as instructors and inspectors. “This idea of putting on 100 mspee(ors will not. be in the interests of the farmer” said Mr. Leslie, “because they will not be sufficiently qualified to ho of real service. By the. reorganisation of the dairy division and the livestock division of the Department of Agriculture xve could build up an Qrganisntion of far greater economic and practical importance, not only to tho dairy farmer, but to the farmer generally:” , . Mr. Leslie said that veterinary scientists could work part-time under the provisions of the Stock Act and part-time under the dairy regulations. Dairv certification, dairy sanitation, feeding as it affected the quality of lain- products, hygiene in the dairy, and'the production of disease-free milk and cream, all were within the domain of veterinary men, and most of them were specially trained in all departments of farm husbandry.