SMALL FARM CAMPAIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21643, 13 May 1932, Page 10

SMALL FARM CAMPAIGN

VITAL ASPECTS OF THE GENERAL FARM POSITION (Communicated.) The efficiency of New Zealand farmers is often adversely criticised. Hence it may be as well to point out at the outset that much of the criticism is unfounded and ill-informed. Actually New Zealand has good reason for being proud of its achievements in the sphere of fanning. A good instance of this is that during a recent 10-year period the quantity of butter-fat produced annually was more than doubled, and this was achieved without ■ leading to any falling off in the other main grazing industries, the output of which actually increased during the same period. The point of current moment is that, notwithstanding such gratifying evidence of improvement and of exploitation of modern developments, there is no sound reason for becoming self-satisfied in respect to our farming. At this juncture, mainly because of the importance of the issues involved, it seems opportune to survey briefly the general farming position in so far a* it is relevant to recent developments regard to land settlement. THREE MATTERS DEMANDIN’( CURRENT ATTENTION. Of the matters which demand attei. tion three only will be considered now. In the first place, primarily because of the general low level of prices of farm produce, there is greater need than has been felt for many y6ars for increased production provided it is secured on a sound economic basis. . Secondly, because of recent widespread adverse conditions, there is a possibility of decreased rather than increased production, unless the measures adopted in the near future are more thorough than those it has been customary to adopt in the past. Thirdly, while- the New Zealand farming community has attained a relatively high standard of efficiency in the use of material resources, such as machinery, manures and seeds, it is extremely doubtful whether our available human resources are being exploited with equal efficiency—a matter of paramount national importance in view of current unemployment problems. There is considerable evidence that many farmers have exercised parsimony rather than economy in regard to their labour utilisation. Two very important classes to which this seems to apply are producers of butter-fat and of fat lambs.

LABOUR 'NEEDS IN DAIRYING, It is known, for instance, that while, certain dairy farmers realise they could readily increase their production to a fairly substantial extent, they purposely refrain from attempting to do so principally because any attempt would involve the employment of another farm hand. In view of the present position of the labour market such farmers should ask themselves seriously and carefully whether their attitude can be justified economically. There is much evidence that without any considerable direct expenditure on material, and as the result merely of the better attention that more labour would make possible, the production of many herds could in the course of one season' - be materially increased. Often better feeding by means of the growing of suitable arable crops, by means of ensilage, or by means of cognate measures, would directly make possible a 25 per cent, increase, ad valorem, in production. Often the labour cost is practically the total cost of such measures — a cost which would be recovered with considerable profit at current prices, in the value of the additional produce. Dairy farmers as a class need to ask themselves frankly, are they utilising effectively the fruits of expenditure on such matters as suitable top-dressing and good herds, when they tolerate on their farms the winter hardships to stock of all types, the summer unsatisfactory feeding of dairy cows, and the all-year-round poor utilisation of by-products, which extra labour would enable them almost wholly to avoid? LABOUR INFLUENCE IN FAT LAMB PRODUCTION. In the sphere of fat lamb production instances could be cited ini which certain farmers are carrying two to three ewes for every one carried on a unit pf similar land by many of their neighbours. When the methods employed on the farms of high carrying capacity are examined and compared with those used on the farms of low carrying capacity, it is often to be found that the differences which exist arise from differences in labour utilisation, and that the farms employing relatively the greater amount of labour return the greater profits. ACCOMMODATION DIFFICULTY IN FARM LABOUR. When the employment of additional labour is suggested to farmers they often give a reply which is based on a considerable amount of truth, to the effect that domestic more than financial considerations deter them from employing as much labour as they would expect to be profitable. In other words, on many farms the matter of feeding and housing permanent or even casual labour is felt to be a real difficulty. Tins difficulty, probably the greatest real one operating against the freer use of labour lon farms which are devoted mainly to butter-fat or fat lamb production, promises to be eliminated in the near future. But it.will be eliminated only if the farmers concerned give to the recently announced “ email farm plan ” that measure of enthusiastic support which intrinsically it deserves. THE NEW SMALL FARM PLAN If thoughtful farmers visualise correctly the adequate operation of the “ small farm plan ” in their own district they will picture the permanent and convenient location of a supply of labour skilled in the farm operations of the neighbourhood —a supply of labour which will obviate the necessity of the wasting of time and money which is involved in the present system of haphazardly drawing upon relatively distant sources of labour of, at times, an unknown standard of skill. It may reasonably be expected that the “ small farm plan,” if properly exploited, will result in the provision not only of convenient skilled labour, but also of economical labour, in that a system of mutually advantageous barter of labour, goods, and services will be found workable. For instance, labour charges may be met at times by the supplying of a weauer pig or of breeding services, this resulting in an arrangement satisfactory to both parties. It is confidently believed that if the farming community consider the “ small farm plan ” in its true position in our farming industry, it will be recognised not merely as a promising means of minimising employment problems in urban areas, but as a fundamentally sound means pf remedying a long-left serious weakness in this farm labour position. JUDGE ONLY THE ACTUAL PLAN. Because it is realised that many farmers may be prone without hesitation or full consideration to scoff at any suggestion of profitably, at present, employing additional labour on- farms, farmers generally are asked to give some thought to the position on their own farnis in particular and on the farms in their district, and to acquaint themselves with the proposals involved in the small farm plan before, they venture to' express their opinions about a plan designed, to deal with what are reallv vital national issues. Leaving altogether out of consideration the treatment of farming lands which are largely undeveloped and which call for time as well as labour to bring about increased direct returns, it is not difficult to illustrate the possible scope for the almost immediate use of labour on farms which are now considered as largely developed. Specific instances may readly be cited. Important measures that often will need attention in the near future, and that on many farms not only would lead eventually to increase in the amount of labour utilised, but also would result quickly in profitable returns, are top-dressing, drainage, the formation of ensilage pits and trenches, and preparatory cultivation for special cropping in excess of the amount previously carried out as a means to improved feeding and possibly increased numbers of stock. The fanning community is being asked to assist in the small farm plan as a matter not of service to the nation, but of service to the farmers themselves. In brief, they are being asked not so much to help the other fellow as to help themselves as a community; Of course, in the process of helping themselves they will be helping the nation in a matter of paramount current importance. PLAN SPONSORED BY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

For years past the Department of Agriculture has advocated with all the equipment at its disposal the merits of such things as phosphatic top-dressing, ensilage, properly controlled grazing, better

feeding of stock, and the use o r animals of proved productive blood. Thousands of farmers in their everyday practice have verified the profitable nature of these farm-management matters when properly applied. With confidence in the merits of the small farm plan equal to that which it has had in the proven fnerits of the practices just mentioned, the Department of Agriculture is launching its campaign whereby it expects to obtain the co-operation of thousands ot farmers in placing in a sound position on the land thousands of farm workers who to-day, usually through no fault of their own, are a drain on the funds which farmers, together with other sections of the community, are providing for the relief of unemployment.