FARM OUTPUT RISES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26040, 2 January 1946, Page 9

FARM OUTPUT RISES

PRODUCTION FIGURES HEAVY INCREASE IN 10 YEARS (Special) WELLINGTON, Dec. 29. A substantial increase in the output from New Zealand's major farming industries was recorded in figures given by the chairman of directors, Mr J T. Martin, to the annual meeting of shareholders of Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., stock and station agents. Mr Martin quoted figures showing that over the last 10 years New Zealand's beef output increased by more than 86 per cent., her mutton by more than 59 per cent., and wool by more than 47 per cent. Primary production was continuing to expand rapidly, Mr Martin said, and he doubted whether Britain could continue to absorb, without hindrance, all we could produce. The figures over the last 10 years were as follows: From To Increase Lamb (tons) .. 129,791 164,818 35,027 Mutton (tons) .. 44,413 70,474 26,061 Beef (tons) .. 37,648 69.884 32.236 Wool (bales) .. 717,232 1,055,686 338,454 Cheese (tons) .. 82,741 91,682 8,941 The increase in the number of sheep in the country was 4,123,534, the total rising from 29,076,754 to 33,200,298. On the other hand, the number of cows in milk decreased by 123,830, the total falling from 1,823,358 to 1,699,528. Butter fell from 136,017 to 127,352 tons, a decrease of 8665 tons. “ In the ten years preceding 1943 butter and cheese tonnage increased by 33.577 tons, or 3357 tons annually, but, owing to dissatisfaction over prices in 1942-43, the tonnage in one year dropped 51,322 tons and milking cows by 108,734. “Last year’s increase of 31,000 milking cows shows that the farming industry is responding to the present prices and, when fertilisers are again in full supply and sufficient farm hands available, production will undoubtedly increase to a further extent.”