ON THE FARM

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23288, 25 August 1945, Page 3

ON THE FARM

AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY Future Uncertain Many Problems Confront Farmers "What shall I sow?”—A week of fine weather has set the farmers thinking over this almost unsolvable problem. Spring crops are difficult—the risk of failure becomes greater as August deepens into September and September into October. At this stage cold comfort must be taken in the fact that the risk is taken with any crop immediately the plough turns the first furrow of a pasture. That the farmer is prepared to take this risk is based on experience joined through his farming years. To-day, however, the situation is slightly different. The average farmer feels that for national reasons he has put a larger area under the plough than he would have done in normal times and that for this extra risk he should be provided with sufficient cover to compensate him against possible loss. Mental Conflicts While these mental conflicts are going on the land must be occupied with some possible revenue returningcrop. The question of what to sow actually depends on the farmer himself as he is the best judge of the capabilities of the fields at present under cultivation. Such decisions are based on the soil type, the previous crop and the present condition and aspect of each field. Agriculturally a good deal of our land needs a rest; it has been over-cropped and frequent heavy rains must have bleached a considerable amount of soluble plant food from it. Further continuous saturation will have prevented the multiplication of beneficial soil bacteria. It may’ . ? opportune and convenient to fallow an area for autumn sowing.

On land which has been long- ploughed and is still in the furrow wheat can still be sown wim prospects of an average crop. Cross Seven is the only suitable variety that is available in sufficient quantity. The question whether an increased Quantity should be sown in spring is difficult. But more than two bushels per acre should not be sown if the risk of shrivelled grain is to be avoided. It is useless to confuse the issue with thoughts as to -whether wheat will or will not be a failure. The risk at this stage of the journey is here tvhatever crop is sown at this time of the year, and this risk can only be lessened by spreading it over a number of crops.

The sooner wheat can be sown the better. The next on the list comes oats. Barley’ is the next most profitable cereal which can be sown later than either wheat or oats. Peas, linseed and linen flax are the best October possibilities, while crops such as lupins, mustard and radish are other crops which may be sown from now until the beginning of November, while on suitable land there is still ample time to prepare for potatoes. Future Problems At this stage, however, while the farmers are seeking to answer each question to his individual and immediate problems, there looms ahead the greater problem of what is now the national need and how is farming to fare in the future? Is agriculture, after five years of popularity, co shed its finery like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight? What are the future prospects of those crops that before V-J Day’ were so urgently needed. Is the large acreage of potatoes still required? What of peas, barley ana other pig feeds? What are the prospects for oats, which, even now, are difficult to sell? What of the future of wheat with Australia’s record sowings? The future of agriculture has suddenly been thrust into the melting pot. What now will be the reply to the industry that has served the war effort so well? These questions are more urgent than those of immediate sowings.