FARMERS’ COMPETITIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1935, Page 4

FARMERS’ COMPETITIONS.

The announcement of the result of the farmers’ pasture competitions in North Taranaki brings into prominence a phase of the work of the Department of Agriculture that has been a feature of the department's work in Taranaki. Under the direction of Mr. J. M. Smith, late officer of the fields division in North Taranaki, farmers’ competitions in various branches of agriculture such as pastures and hay and ensilage were strohgly encouraged, and were extended to the boys and girls’ clubs. Similar encouragement was given in South Taranaki, with the result that at the present time there is probably no other district in New Zealand in which this form of stimulating farmers is so strongly developed. The object, of course, is to secure a general improvement in such important factors in dairying as type of pastures and winter fodder. The movement is peculiarly suitable to Taranaki because of the province’s close settlement, and could hardly be operated successfully in more sparsely populated areas. For the results attained the indefatigable officers of the department and the farmers who have responded, are to be warmly commended. At the same time, it should not be forgotten that if only a comparatively few farmers take an interest in the competitions and give practical effect to the knowledge gained the aim of the competitions will not have been reached. It is no use living in a fool’s paradise, and though much good has been achieved by the competitions there is still a long way to go before Taranaki as a Whole can be said to possess a really good sward of grass ideal for dairying. The importance of such a goal needs no emphasis, and if the majority of farmers do not wish actually to take part in the field competitions it is to be hoped that they will take advantage of every opportunity of learning the lessons of the competitions and will apply the knowledge thus gained to practical purpose.