ON THE LAND

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1932, Page 10 (Supplement)

ON THE LAND

FARM LABOUR

important aspects.

UTILISATION OF MAN-POWER.

The planning of farm work for the coming few months,. and its bearing on the success .or otherwise of the Government’s small-farm scheme for the relief of unemployment, is discussed by Mr. R. P. Connell of the Fields Division, in the May issue of the Journal of Agriculture. Mr. Connell suggests that while New Zealand farmers have reached a relatively high standard of efficiency in the utilisation of material resources, the available man-power of the country is not being exploited to anything like an equal degree of effectiveness. Consideration is given to three vital aspects of the farming position. In the first place, Mr. Connell says, primarily because of the general low level of prices of farm produce, there is greater need than has been felt for many years 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 labour utilisation. Two very important classes to which this seems to apply are producers; of butter-fat and of fat lambs.

ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION.

It is known, he continues, that while certain dairy-farmers realise they could steadily 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 ot 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 01 ensilage, or by means of cognate measures, would directly make possible a 25 per cent, increase in production. Often the labour cost is practically the total cost of such measures—a cost which would be recovered in the value of the additional produce. Dairy-farmers as a class need to ask themselves frankly whether they are utilising effectively the fruits of expenditure on such matters as suitable topdressing and good herds, when they tolerate on their farms the winter hardships to stock of all types, the unsatisfactory summer feeding of dairy cows and the all-year-round poor utilisation of by-products, which extra, labour would enable them almost wholly to avoid.

POSITION OF SHEEPFARMERS.

In the sphere of fat-lamb production, instances could be cited, iu which certain farmers are carrying two or three ewes for every one carried on a unit of similar land by many of their neighbours. When the methods employed on the farms of high 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 iu labour utilisation, and that the farms employing relatively the greater* amount of labour return the greater profits. When the employment of additional labour is suggested to farmers they often give a reply, based on a considerable amount of truth, that domestic more than financial considerations deter them from employing as. much labour as they would expect to be profitable. On many farms the question, of feeding and accommodating permanent or even casual workers is felt to be a real difficulty. This difficulty, probably the greatest real, one operating against the freer use of labour on farms which are devoted to butter-fat of fat lamb production, promises to be eliminated in the near future. But it will be eliminated, Mr. Connell suggests, only if the farmers concerned give to the recently-announced small-farm plan that measure of effective support which it deserves. It thoughtful farmers visualise correctly the adequate operation of the small-farm scheme 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 waste of time and money involved in the present haphazard system of drawing on relatively distant sources of labour of an unknown standard of skill.

MUTUALLY AD VANTAGEOUS.

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 economic labour, in that a system of mutually advantageous barter of labour, goods and service will be found workable. For instance, labour charges might be met at times by the supplying of, say, a weaner pig or of breeding services when such an arrangement would be satisfactory to both parties. A confidence is expressed that if the farming community considers the small-farm plan in its true perspective it will be recognised not merely as a promising means of dealing with unemployment problems, but as a fundamentally sound means ot remedying a long-felt weakness in the farm labour position. Important measures which will need attention in the near future and 'which, on many farms, would not only lead to increases in the amount of labour utilised, but also to quick and profitable returns, include top-dressing, drainage work, the formation of ensilage pits and trenches and preparatory cultivation for special cropping in excess of the amount previously carried out as an avenue to improved feeding and possibly increased carrying capacity.

WINTER TOP-DRESSING.

RESULTS IN THE SPRING,

The fact that recent deliveries of fertilisers have been exceptionally heavy can be taken as an indication that farmers are more fully alive to the good results obtainable from pre-winter topdressing. Any *work remaining to e done in this connection should be completed as early as possible. The Fields Division of ths Department of Agriculture advises, in the May issue in the Journal of Agriculture, that although top-dressing should be carried out before the advent of the inactive period in pasture growth, it may be advisable to do the work during the dormant period in preference to delaying it until the heavy rush of spring work makes for inconvenient and possibly inefficient application. Phosphatic feitilisers applied in the dormant period will exert there influence as soon as the warmth necessary for growth returns to the soil, and lost, as distinct from delayed, effect need not be considered. .The same position is held, to apply m general to the application of lime and potash.. In the case of soluble nitrogenous manures, however, the position is radically different. If conditions unfavourable to growth prevail for any considerable time after the application of such manures, their influence, judging from fairly extensive past experience, is considerably lessened. .The main matter which needs repetition, says the journal, is the proved dominance generally of phosphates in profitable top-dressing.

NEW ZEALAND SEED,

DEMAND TN' AUSTRALIA.

There is a bright future in sight for the sale of New Zealand seed in Australia. Recent experiments conducted in various States have proved the outstanding suitability of certain Dominion varieties, with the result that trade is likely to increase from now on. These statements were made by Mr. A. Y. Montgomery, an agricultural expert, in the employ of Imperial Chemical Industries, who arrived at Wellington recently. He is on a business visit and will remain for about six months.

Mr. Montgomery is a New Zealander. He was formerly a member of the Department of Agriculture, and until two years ago was a member of the staff of the Plant Research Station, Palmerston North. His present work in Australia is associated with intensive farming in the coastal areas and the encouragement there of the use of fertilisers.

“Intensive pasture methods which are proving so successful in New Zealand are being taken up with enthusiasm 'by various States in Australia,” said Mr. Montgomery. “The work is being sponsored largely by the Australian DairyCouncil and the State Departments of Agriculture. Having acted for the past two years as an agricultural advisory officer in New South Wales and Queensland, I have had an opportunity of studying the development of farming methods there, and I can 1 say that although they are behind New Zealand they are following up fast. “One thing that should be of particular interest to New Zealanders is that New Zealand, Government-certified, old-pasture perennial ryegrass has proved of especial worth in all the better rainfall districts of Australia to as far north as Gympie, in Queensland. “This 1 means there is no doubt that there will be an increasingly keen demand in Australia for New Zealand Government-certified seed. The trade Is growing every day and should prove to be most valuable one.’’ Among the seeds which were being sought after to an increasing extent as being' very suitable for Australia, said Mr. Montgomery, were New Zealand white clover, New Zealand browntop, and others of the agrostis species which are used for lawn work, also Chewings’ fescue. Referring to top-dressing, Mr. Montgomery said that in Australia, the use of fertilisers, with “super” and lime as the basis of the treatments, and including the use of nitrogen in the form of spring and autyjnn dressings of sulphate of ammonia, had greatly increased. Pastures were being improved by the intensive cultivation system which was the basis of the prosperity of the New Zealand dairying industry. In the outback areas ivhere large tracts were available comparatively little was being done, but the coastal districts, with their heavy rainfall, provided an excellent ground for development.-. There the stage was set for the control and improvement of lush pastures.

BRITISH FRIESIANS.

THE BREEDER’S VICTORIES.

British Friesian cattle continue to maintain their place in the British Isles and to increase in popularity. The breed has not suffered acutely from the serious agricultural depression of the last few years, because farmers have been compelled to give preference to cows that are milk and profit producers much above the average, states the council of the breed society in its report for 1931. The remarkable victories of British Friesian herds, cows and heifers in national and local competitions, particularly at recent London dairy shows, and the results of the society’s continued and extensive propaganda work, have had a pleasing and telling effect upon the fortunes of the breed, and upon the opinions of it held in agricultural circles. No fewer than 405 British Friesian cows, with milk yields exceeding 2000 gallons in the lactation period of not more than 365 days, have now been officially recorded in Britain. Of the 405 cows, nine have passed the 3000-gallon mark, and 101 have more than one 2000-gallon yield to their credit. Of such 101 cows twenty-six have been given three 2000-gallon yields, eight have exceeded such production on four occasions, and two cows have given ovei--2000 gallons in the year on five separate occasions, while one has twice yielded upwards-of 3000 gallons. Some thirtysix Friesian cows, with a computed butter yield exceeding 10001 b. in the year, have also been recorded, and four of these animals have accomplished the performance twice.

AN ADAPTABLE CROP.

LUCERNE AT 4800 FEET

.The adaptability of lucerne to a wide range of soils and climate has provided many interesting examples in the marked extension of the cultivation ot this fodder crop in recent years. It Is remarkable, for instance, to see how It thrives at high altitudes. The highest point at which it is growing in New South Wales is on the grazing property of Mr. W. V. Herbert, of Eucumbene, Adaminaby. This is right in the snow

country and one of the coldest spots Jn New South Wales, but with laid-down pastures both sheep and cattle do well, for drought is unknown, and nothing but overstocking causes feed scarcity. On the slopes of Mount Cobrabald, over 4800 ft above sea-level, Mr. Herbert has paddocks of lucerne. The sowings date back several years, and its suitability and successful growth has been well proved. His earlier experiments have been useful to Mr. Herbert in securing better results, and of his more I‘ecent sowings it can be said that he has obtained a “marvellous stand.” It is the practice of Mr. Herbert to subdivide the lucerne areas into small paddocks for rotational grazing. AH such grasses as Pharlaris tuberosa, perennial rye, Wimmera and also subterranean clover do well on these monutain heights and make the best of pastures.