TARANAKI FARMING SEASON

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1934, Page 2

TARANAKI FARMING SEASON

SHEEPMEN MOST FORTUNATE. REPORT BY COMMISSIONER. ... ' - J The feature of chief interest was the welcome rise in the price of wool and sheep, states the annual report of Mr. F. H. Waters, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Taranaki. This had put new heart into the sheep farmers, and in many cases enabled them to clear off accumulations of back debts. This particularly referred to those who ,had been able to hold over their wool for several season and were fortunate enough to have it sold at the early sales. \ small drop occurred in the price as the selling season advanced, but on the whole the prices realised were a magnificent advance on the disastrous figures of the past three years. The dairy farmer had not been so fortunate, as butter-fat prices after touching approximately Is per lb in the spring rapidly dropped until in January the price was down to a little over 6d. The effect had been that rents and interest had been unpaid and top-dressing had been neglected, while in many cases lack of means had not allowed the farmer adequately to cope with noxious weeds, such as ragwort. This curse to the dairy farmer showed no signs of diminution; in fact, it seemed on the increase, as it was left unchecked in numbers of cases, and. good farmers complained that, where they had properly attended to the weed on their holdings, neglect alongside soon brought it back on their farms, thus making all their efforts abortive. The, cheapest and best method of control appeared to be a decrease in the number of dairy cows and a partial return to Sheep. The rainfall for the year was an average one and climatic conditions in the winter and spring were exceptionally good; the summer, however, was cold and abnormal. The weather was rather dry in the early summer, but later rains brought on a good flush of grass and a plentiful supply of pasture was assured for the autumn. The lambing percentage was well in advance of any previous season’s and there was an increase in the production of butter-fat Although the amount of the arrears was still high, the brighter outlook had been reflected in the increase in receipts for the 12 months, the revenue showing an increase of about 20 per cent, on the previous year’s figure. The question of arrears was tackled in a systematic manner and, where it was shown clearly that a lessee was doing his best and was beaten only by economic reasons, the department had treated him generously. The adoption of pro rata agreements wherever possible had brought in a considerable amount of revenue.