THE CALL FOR WHEAT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22205, 24 February 1942, Page 4

THE CALL FOR WHEAT

Ministerial Warning Meat Increase Not Wanted CHRISTCHURCH. February 23. A statement made last week by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) carries an ominous message for farmers, and, incidentally, for wheatgrowers. The statement’ was that it was obvious there should be no programme of increased production for either meat or butter . . . but that production "should at least be stabilised and reduced by individual dairy and sheep farmers.” This rather perturbing indication of the immediate future of the two industries concerned is not. it may be suggested, because of shipping problems. which will obviously exist in any case, but because of the United Kingdom not wanting these products to the same extent as formerly indicated. It is true that up till the time of the Japanese entry into the war meat had been cleared very satisfactorily. but outter was piling up at most of the large ports. For those Canterbury farmers who have wheatgrowing land this statement points to the plainest lesson, and the plainest policy to follow. It is the one province suited to take advantage of the position described by the Minister. The North Island, with its huge dairy and meat production and absence of cropping, is enormously handicapped in comparison with Canterbury. Otago, and Marlborough. The plain policy of the mixed farmer is to concentrate on a product that the country urgently needs for its own existence, and a product which possesses the rare virtue of freedom from shipping risks and market competition.

A Disquieting Trend Reports have been current that wheatgrowers, on account of labour difficulties, have decided to sow down much of their wheat land in pasture. One case instanced was where a grower had purchased more than £l5O worth of grass seed for this purpose. There are other instances where the growers propose to halve their former wheat acreage. Making all allowance for the irritations created by the petrol restrictions, which are administrative rather than fundamental, and for the labour difficulties, which can be eased by approach through the proper channels, the farmer proceeding on these lines should stop and consider. The United Kingdom may not want much of our meat after the war. yet these fanners are adopting practices that are going to add to the excess that may be unmarketable. Then they will be faced with the position, if they want to sow wheat, of having to divert this new pasture land back to cropping. It is not possible to switch from grass farming to cropping in a year, if reasons of economy are to be considered. Once a pasture is laid down it is expected that it will remain there for a few years.

Dear Store Lambs To-day store lambs are bringing a price at Canterbury markets unknown since boom times, providing a margin of 4s. or ss. a head at the most for fattening. It is a rare and admittedly unpopular necessity to have to plough in rape feed, but the price of lambs has become so high that many farmers may be forced to do so. It would probably be more profitable for such farmers to plough in a fair part of their rape for green manuring, and sow the land in wheat. The alternatives facing the farmers are: (1) Should they continue to increase lamb and sheep production in face of the uncertainties of tlie near future: or (2) should they stabilise that production at its present point and divert all the land suitable for the purpose to wheatgrowing The choice should not be difficult, although circumstances make the second alternative the much harder job. But against that, again, is the fact that more wheat is imperative if the Dominion is to ensure its bread needs while the war lasts. This imposes an obligation on farmers that no other section of producers is asked to undertake to the same extent. On the economical side is the fact that the price of wheat is stable and high in comparison with the wheat of other Empire countries, and, according to Ministerial statements, all the petrol and fertiliser requirements for putting in the new crop will be provided, and workers relieved from camp for this purpose.