BENEFIT TO FARMERS

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3554, 6 December 1934, Page 6

BENEFIT TO FARMERS

WH4T A. AND P. SHOW MEANS ;V..-.\V v • >•:'* V\ -V * ••• ■ •/.' • EXCHANGE OF IDEAS I . —" Advantages to be gained by the fanner who takes the necessary trouble and care to breed stock for the purpose of exhibiting at agricultural and pastoral shows of the Dominion are numerous. It is at these shows that birth is given to new ideas in all aspects of our primary industries. "What is there to be gained by my exhibiting at the show?” is a question frequently asked by farmers more particularly by the man in a small way. There are various answers to this, each one carrying considerable weight. At a time when farmers are faced with visions of quotas, tariff barriers and a multitude of other problems of a somewhat similar nature, they cannot do better than rally round the show association, which for years have carried out work of inestimable value in the furtherance of New Zealand’s primary industries. Few will disagree that there is a rapidly increasing need for the production of a still’ higher quality article in order to stand up to the severe competition with which our industries are now being confronted both on the local markets and those overseas. There is, too, an inextinguishable desire to increase the duictrve powers of farms throughout the Dominion. In furthering such desires which are so urgent to-day it is the agricultural and pastoral organisations which are carrying on probably the most valuable work, man on the land who stands loyally behind his district show association, particularly in times of financial stress, is doing great service to the district in assisting in the furtherance of the numerous primary industries. He is also at the same time deriving untold value in his own interests.

Through meeting face to face with strenuous competition and obtaining unusually low prices for their products’during the past three or four years, farmers generally are awakening to the realisation that in order to meet requirements of overseas customers they must produce a better article at a reasonable price. Exhibiting at shows does almost incalculable good in driving home to farmers points in breeding which enable them to produce stock more suitable to the market either alive or slaughtered! Once they are brought to realise that quality should always be given preference to quantity in breeding, then it can confidently be claimed that some benefits have been de- ’ rived from the work of the A. P. Associations. Improving Stock

By competitions each farmer strives to rear animals which he knows are bred along lines which he believes will conform with the best type required on the Home market. It is . logic to believe that the stronger the competition attained at shows throughout the Dominion the higher . will b e th e resultant standard in succeeding years. At the shows farmers of varying degrees of success meet in competition with some of the most prominent pastoralists in the Dominion. This must be an incentive ' to the average farmer to do everything within his power to improve the standard of his stock. It should be the aim of every stock judge to ascertain the quality and particular peculiarities required by 6ur overseas customers, and in export classes to award his points accordingly. This done, then the exhibitor can be assured that by experience gained at the shows he is being guided along lines remunerative" to himself and beneficial to the export trade of his country. Indications of the lifting of the clouds of depression appear More pronounced now and with a more general feeling of buoyancy abroad there is fast spreading a much needled spirit of optimism and signs of returning confidence. The fact that tlie outlook has during the past few . months shown considerable improvement should not, however, be taken by farmers as a signal for the cessation of all needs of effecting improvements to their produce. Rather it should act as an incentive in ; guarding against any further economic upheaval of a similar nature to that out of which We now appear to i>e passing.' • ,