FARM PROBLEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22933, 11 January 1938, Page 5

FARM PROBLEMS

HERDS BEING REDUCED LARGER SHEEP FLOCKS DIMINUTION IN INCOMES [from our OWN correspondent] HAMILTON. Monday Inquiries made in the Waikato show that dairy industry leaders are becoming concerned regarding the rapidlyincreasiug tendency of dairymen in this district to reduce the number of cows in their herds and to increase the number of sheep kept. In 1926 the number of cattle m the Auckland land district, a large proportion of which is the Waikato, was gitfen by the Official Year Book at 705,656, while the number of sheep was shown to be 1,010,809. The figures for 1936 show that there were 620,575 cattle in the area, a reduction of 85,081, and 1,876,692 sheep, an increase of 865,883. It is believed by competent observers that the divergence in the ratio for the current season is even wider than these figures for the decade ended March, 1936, disclose, and reports indicate that there will be a sharp decline in butterfat produced and a correspondingly greater increase in the number of sheep kept next season. Leaders of the dairying industry are perturbed on account of the movement, which, it is felt, will have national repercussions in the financial returns for the country. It is an acknowledged fact that dairying produces much greater wealth per acre than does sheep farming, and if sheep replace cows to a greater extent than the natural increase in butter-fat production, the result financially will be serious. Seasons lor the Qhange When questioned as to the reasons for the cow's decline in favour, dairy leaders frankly admit that farmers are prepared to make financial sacrifices rather than continue to put up with the worries attending, obtaining and retaining suitable farm labour. Not only are experienced milkers hard to get", but the better monetary inducements offered in other labour markets produce an unsettling effect, which makes it difficult to keep the labour available. Another factor is the growing demand for better accommodation for milkers and other farm labour. That this demand is a reasonable one in many canes is generally admitted, but owners do not find it easy to comply with. They find it easier to reduce their herds and the number of their milkers. Sheep do not require anything like the attention cows do, although the rising cost of shearing, especially to those who have not shearing sheds of their own, is a serious factor that is only just being realised by some dairymen this season. A heavy premium has to be paid for shearing sheep away from the owner's farm, and shearing costs represent from 10 to 12 per cent of the wool cheques. '<>■' The Guaranteed Price -y' , . Uncertainty regarding the future of the guaranteed price and its capacity to cover increasing farm costs and provide the farmer with a reasonable standard of living,'is given as another ; reason for the decreasing popularity of dairying. Climatic conditions for dairying have been fairly favourable this season, and under normal _ conditions there ought to be a small increase _ui butter-fat production, compared with the output of previous seasons. Most or the existing companies in the Waikato will show a very marked increase in proportion to the outputs o_f previous vears, but this increase will be accounted for _ by the fact that the existing factories have taken over the supplv of companies that have been wound up by the operations of the Executive Commission of Agriculture. _ For instance, the supply of the Waikato Valley Dairy Company, Limited, which for the last two seasons had an output of about 6000 tons of butter, has been absorbed by several co-operative dairy companies in the Waikato, King Country and Rotorua districts. The supplv of several other companies which have "also ceased to operate this season has been similarly taken over. Taking everything into account, the opinion has been" expressed that the agregate output of dairy products for the current season will be less than for previous seasons. NEW PHOSPHATE SHIP TRADE WITH DOMINION I LAUNCHING IN SCOTLAND [fhom oub own correspondent] LONDON, Dec. 22 The motor-ship Trienza,|which is being built to the drder of the British Phosphate Commissioners at the yard of Lithgows. Limited, Port Glasgow, was launched at the end of last week. The vessel is to be used for carrying bulk phosphates between Nauru and Ocean Islands and Australia and New Zealand. The Trienza, which is 435 ft. in length, is being built to the specification of Ftannery, Baggallay and Johnson, Limited, to designs which will facilitate the loading of phosphates in ' exposed anchorages. She will have a speed of not less than 12 knots. The British Phosphate Commission employs a number of ships under charter to carry phosphates from Nauru and Ocean Islands to Australia and Now Zealand, and the Australian trade ia also served at present by two of its own ships, the Triaster and Triona.