LOWER OUTFIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 29 September 1943, Page 4

LOWER OUTFIT

DAIRY PRODUCTION \ WARNING TO INDUSTRY The serious fall in the dairy herds of the Dominion and its adverse effects upon production was the keynote of the address given to shareholders of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company. Limited, by the chairman of directors. Mr W. E. Hale, at the annual meeting. While climatic conditions would affect the position either favourably or otherwise in the current season, Mr Hale warned the industry that from a Dominion point of view it must calculate on a decline of 10 or even 15 per cent on last season’s figures. "Last season approximately 45.000 fewer cows were milked in the Dominion than were milked in the 1941-42 season and a further heavy la 11 will be experienced in the present season." said Mr Hale. “The number of cows killed at meat export works and abattoirs for the .Vear ended 30th June, 1942, was higher compared with the previous year by 53,000 and for the year ended 30th June, 1943, by 60,000, compared with the 1942 figures—a total increase in cow killings of 113,000 in two years. A proportion of this increase may have been station cows as apart from dairy cows, but the number would be comparatively small. INSUFFICIENT HEIFERS RAISED “If sufficient heifers had been reared to replace the excessive number of cows killed, loss of production would have been, to a certain extent, checked, but unfortunately the number of heifers between one and two years of age was less by 66,000 at 31st January. 1943. compared with a year earlier, and as showing the continuous depreciation of the position, Dominion bobby calf killings for July and August this year were higher by 11,000, compared with the same months last year. “Taking into account that last season was commenced with a lesser number of cows, that killings were so high during the season, that there is a marked shortage of fertiliser and the effect of last autumn’s dry weather on the condition of the cows this spring, it is quite obvious that a further marked drop will be experienced in dairy production this current season. WIDE REPERCUSSIONS The reduction in the numbers of dairy cows and heifers would have repercussions in other ways that might be overlooked, stated Mr Hale. For instance. many small dairy farmers who, through labour and fertiliser shortages, had changed over to sheep farming and who would have little option but to return to dairy farming, would require cows for restocking purposes. Also, if men were to be rehabilitated from overseas on to dairy farms the position would become almost desperate owing to the fact that the dairy stock would not be available to meet the demand. “Probably at no time in the country’s history was it so important as it is to-day that we should be producing meat and dairy produce to the maximum of the country’s capacity,” said Mr Hale. "All classes of farmers have, over the past few years, shown themselves ready and willing to make many sacrifices and to work practically unlimited hours in order that the produce required shall be forthcoming. They know how vital is the part they play in winning the war and I have not the slightest doubt they will continue to do everything possible toward securing the great objective we all have ,in mind.” Referring to a fall of 30 'per cent, in the number of pigs killed, Mr Hale said a number of factors had contributed to the general pig shortage. The first setback was when farmers were advised that Britain would not take any baconers, a decision which was later reversed. Then, in 1941-42, there was the change-over from butter to cheese and back again in 3942-43.

Then, in April last, ancl quite unexpectedly, the maximum price at which pigs could be purchased from producers was stabilised before the cost of production was properly investigated. So that pig-raisers got away to a bad start last season and their difficulties were further increased by the labour shortage and the shortage and high cost of pig feeding materials. One could not say that *pig production prospects for the coming season were at all bright.