AGRICULTURE TO-DAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17146, 31 December 1929, Page 10

AGRICULTURE TO-DAY

VITAL PROBLEMS HON, G. W. FORBES SPEAKS An interesting commentary in regard to agriculture was made during the banquet held by the Royal Show Society in Invercnrgill by the Hon. (i. W. Forbes, Minister of Agriculture and Acting-Prime Minister. "We have to realise that so far as the markets of the world are concerned ■we must expect, greater competition in the future," Mr. Forbes said. "Other countries are realising the benefits to lie gained by improvements in .fanning practice and in the quality.of, their products. New Zealand has long held the premier place, .but our competitors are making every endeavor by improving their stock to overtake us. We have to meet this keener competition of the future, and what is more important, we have to see that New Zealand maintains her position. "There is, I am pleased to say," remarked Mr. Forbes, "a steady increase in the stock, and the flocks have been gradually going up year ,by year. This is a hopeful sign. The number of sheep in 1924 was 23,775,770 and in 1!»20, 211,051,382, an increase of over 5,000,000, which you will admit is substantial. For the same period the number of breeding ewes has increased considerably, the 1924 figures being 13,076,09.1 and this year's 16,008,155, giving /in additional 3,500,000, and enabling the Dominion to produce a far greater number of fat lambs each year. -It is a wise policy to devote as much attention to the fat lamb trade, as possible so as to maintain our supremacy in this regard on the London market." DAIRY' PRODUCTION Referring to dairying Mr. Forbes went to to state that there had been a bijr increase in production from our dairy herds and this has been accomplished by the better treatment, of the stock and the introduction of herdtesting, which farmers recognised was necessary to ascertain which were the profitable animals. The department, too, recognised its worth, and ho had given authority for the appointment of an organiser to undertake the proper organisation of this work throughout the .Dominion. A great deal had been done by the Government in the past to encourage herd-testing, and he felt some co-operation was required to put it.on a proper footing. New Zealand could not afford to stand still .and allow her competitors to catch up. They must get the utmost from the land and- at the same time improve the methods of farming and the quality of the product in order to main tain. New Zealand's position overseas. : He believed that by adopting herd-testing a substantial increase could bo looked for, and at the same time the dairy farmer could detect which were his profitable animals. The department was out to assist all it could any effort designed to effect an improvement, and when that help was afforded it was for the farmer to do his part in regard to the quality of the stock he maintained and the .production per cow. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION Dealing with agricultural education, Mr. Forbes said he was pleased to nee (that greater interest was being taken I in this important; question by farmers generally, while the work of the various experimental farms was much to be commended, lie stressed the value of these and referred particularly to the good work accomplished by the one at Winton. Local interest was vital to the success of these farms, and. if the farmers of a particular locality did nob co-operate very.lif.tle could.be accomplished. The education of young people'in the direction of taking up agriculture was very important, and it was essential to give them every encouragement. Farmers who had risen 1 to the top could give valuable assistance !to encourage and foster the move'-. ; ment by giving practical advice. Hard '< work and training were the requisites, ' and if the young people were encouraged along'right lines the future of farming was assured. Too many lads were leaving school nowadays and look* ing for occupations in. l the cities and towns. This was a bad thing, and | everything possible must be done to ■ stimulate interest in land ■ settlement and give scope to the young folk to go on the land. Pasture improvement was the next ; thing touched upon by Mr. Forbes, who I lieclared. that upon the successful treat- ! imenf of the land depended the future progress and prosperity of the D.oinin;'ion. He referred to the work being done in this connection at Palmerston North, where men were trained in this important aspect of farming practice. The value of top-dressing was enormous, and he was confident'that properly applied top-dressing would enable' our products to bo trebled in volume in a comparatively few years. Striking results had been obtained through the introduction of close and rotational grazing, and he was. convinced that this aspect would receive very much more attention in the future.