FARMING OVERSEAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19512, 16 December 1926, Page 15

FARMING OVERSEAS.

DENMARK'S BUTTER OUTPUT. h ■ JEALOUS OF NEW ZEALAND. PROSPECT OF TRADE IN PIGS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday. That Denmark is very jealous of New Zealand as regards competition in the butler market is the firm conviction of Mr. R. E. Alexander, director of Lincoln College, who returned to-day after an absence of nine months abroad. Mr. Alexander visited Great Britain and Ireland, Denmark and Sweden. The thir.g that struck him most in regard to Britain after his many years of absence was the extraordinary progress of agricultural research, not only in development, but in its application. The results of this research work were especially evident in regard to the fertilisation of soils and the feeding of animals. In Denmark they had reduced the feeding of dairy cattle and pigs to a, scientific degree never before thought of. " I can only hope that research work ■will be started in this country in the particular branches applicable to New Zealand," said Mr. Alexander. "If that were done we would be able to place our farmers in an equally good position, so far as the use of fertilisers and foodstuffs is concerned." Mr. Alexander visited the richest part of Denmark, and was amazed at the crops which the Danes produce. " There are no fences," he said. "The land is too valuable for'that. For the quality of the soil, which is second class, the crops are amazing. This year the crops were too good. " The Danish people are extremely jealous of New Zealand competition, and they fear that New Zealand will capture the butter market."' After studying conditions in Denmark, Mr. Alexander says that New Zealand has much to learn in feeding and rationing stock. For a number of years the Danes have carried out experiments in herd testing, with the , result that they have now reached the average production of over 3001b. of butter-fat a cow. „ " The industry in Denmark to-day is undoubtedly bacon and pork," continued Mr. Alexander. " It has now exceeded the dairying, industry, and between £4,000,000 and £5,000,000 a year are produced from bacon and pork alono. "I was.very much interested in the feeding of the pigs and the grading of the bacon and the preparation for export, and I have returned to New Zealand thoroughly convinced that we can comEete, and compete successfully, with the lanes in pig production. I hope eventually to see our export trade in pigs one of our best assets. " In London I found that New Zealand pigs were very highly thought of. The only complaint was that there were not enough of them, and that the supply was irregular. I,find on coming back to the Dominion that there is an opinion abroad that the large Yorkshire pig is the most suitable. type to breed from. I cannot agree with this; even the Danes find the large Yorkshire unsuitable. I think New Zealand would do well to develop the breeds she has got. " I find it difficult to give an opinion regarding British agriculture- I felt that the farmers, except id one or two areas, were inclined to run along the groove occupied by their forefuthera. In many ways we are more up-to-date than they are. The English farmer is in a bad way. He is suffering from a fall in prices, and the consequent reduction, more or less, in capital values.,"