A Farmer’s Notebook PREPARATIONS FOR FUTURE

Southland Times, Issue 24681, 28 February 1942, Page 7

A Farmer’s Notebook PREPARATIONS FOR FUTURE

PRIMARY PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS

Primary production requirements for the 1942-43 season are very difficult to estimate. Nevertheless, it is an essential part of farming operations to make plans for the coming season well in advance. This applies with particular force in regard to areas required for crops. It is fortunate, therefore, that the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) has this week been able to indicate the trend of arrangements with the United Kingdom for next season’s produce. In the past, notice beforehand of what was needed often allowed very little time for the necessary preparations to be made. On this occasion timely advice is very welcome as the farm labour problem has inevitably become more acute. Although a wholesale, change over from one branch of farming to another has not been advocated, it has been very clearly indicated that a decided reduction in the amount of meat and butter is necessary. The result of producing a large excess, over and above the quantities that can be exported, is that freezing space will be more seriously affected as time goes on. CHANGES ESSENTIAL It has been evident during the past two years of the war that farm production would be called upon to make changes in conformity with the needs of the war effort. This now demands that more wheat should be grown as a first essential in maintenance of home defence. Also, much greater quantities of linen flax are required for aeroplanes and military equipment, and an increase in cheese is a matter of great importance. There is a need to, for more milk powder products, but this is a problem for the north. The question that Southland farmers are concerned with is how to divert a portion of their production from usual channels into others. It is not as easy as it seems and will require a good deal of thinking and sound planning m order to achieve the necessary results. It is a problem for each individual to work out for himself. If all concerned keep the basic factors in mind, that is, reduce meat and butter production, grow more wheat, linen flax, and produce more cheese, and work for these objectives, the collective result should be as satisfactory to the Ministry of Marketing, and the industry, as is possible under the circumstances. DAIRY FARMERS’ POSITION Dairy farmers should suffer less dislocation than other classes as they can for the most part either build up the number of cows for cheese production, or switch over from butter to cheese supply in some cases. The big problem appears to be m connection with meat producers. The prospect of accumulating a big surplus each year in the freezing works is the great bugbear of the meat industry in any abnormal period. The Minister emphasized this point in his address, and it will be the main fear of all engaged in meat production. This being so, the effort will have to be made to deal with the situation. On a longterm basis a reduction in the number of ewes tb be put to the ram suggests itself as a first measure. Many old ewes will need to be discarded; but what to do with them is the problem; in view of the shortage of fertilizer, they may be utilized in that direction. Whatever is done with them it is essential that more wheat and linen flax should be produced for the war effort.