AGRICULTURAL PLANS FOR 1941-42 SEASON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 123, 28 May 1941, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL PLANS FOR 1941-42 SEASON

THE GOVERNMENTS LEAD READJUSTMENT OF PRODUCTION IS NECESSARY GENERAL AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES (Press Assn.). Wellington, .May 27. Plans for New Zealand’s agi’icullitrul production in the 1941-42 season were announced in a statement issued by the .Minister of Agriculture, Hon. J. G, Barclay. “As the year 1941 has advanced,’’ said .Mr. Barclay, “the Dominion’s main primary industries have been faced with problems unprecedented in the history of this country. Our agricultural economy, built upon the export of an expanding surplus of products to an open market, has been suddenly confronted during this year with the necessity for adjustment to a market drastically limited by the availability of suitable shinning.

“For many weeks it was impossible to make any reliable estimate >£ the position for next season, as fresh developments were arising almost daily. Farmers, naturally, were anxious for a lead from the Government in order to plan their next season’s production. Unfortunately, at that stage it would not have been possible to publish a production programme without the real danger of some new advice from the British Government rendering it obsolete almost as soon as issued. “The production plan drawn up for last season was definitely based on increased output of ail products. The aim during the coming season is not increased production, but rather readjustment of production. The energies of the farming community should be directed principally towards the production of goods for which Britain lias made special requests, or which are required to satisfy internal demand. Production for Export “With regard to production for the export market the limiting factors are the quantities of the various products which Britain will require from us next year, and the quantities of each for which she will be able to provide shipping space. Insofar as many of these details are not yet fully known, it must be understood that the programme of production outlined below is subject to alteration as a result of contingencies that may arise in the future, though, at present, unforeseen. “The production plan for 1941-42 can be conveniently presented under two headings: la) General objectives; (b) specific objectives. “(1) A swing towards wool production rather than meat production, wherever this is practicable. In this connection next season it may be advisable, in many instances, not to breed from ewes which verge on cun quality, but which, if run dry, will produce a good wool clip. “(2) As far as fat lamb production is concerned the position is being closely watched and the farming community will be advised of any important developments as they arise. “(3) A swing from sheep.arming to dairying is inadvisable, as a general principle. "It must be clearly understood that these general objectives are based simply on the inlormation at present available, and the most up-to-date estimate oi future prospects. Farmers will be notified of any developments affecting the programme without unnecessary delay. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES First Objective “To grow what Great Britain asks of us. For these commodities the aim is to achieve the greatest production possible under the processing facilities and productive resources that can be made available. “CHEESE: The national objective is 160,000 tons, or 40,000 to 50,000 tons more than the current season’s record production. The Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture and the Dairy Board are charged with ensuring that this objective is achieved by the change-over o£ many dairy farmers from butter factory to cheese factory supply. "LINEN FLAX: The aim is to grow at least 25,000 acres, an im rease of nearly 12,000 acres over this year's splendid figure. “WOOL: The British Government has undertaken to purchase the New Zealand wool clip for the duration of the war and one year thereafter. Therefore, the fullest possible production should be aimed at. “PEAS: The position with regard to peas is uncertain, in that while an export demand exists there is difficulty in arranging shipping. Farmers are recommended to arrange firm contracts with merchants before under’:> king the growing of peas. Second Objective “To grow what we can use in maintaining New Zealand’s standard of living. “WHEAT: The national objective is 300,000 acres, and because of the urgency of the matter area allocations have already been made to the district councils concerned. “OATS: An acreage approximately equal to the 1940-41 crop for threshing will suffice, about 61,000 acres for threshing. “MALTING BARLEY: The aim is to increase the acreage in this crop commensurate with malting requirements Contracts with individual farmers will be arranged through malsters along customary lines. “MAIZE: An area equal to the 134041 crop of 12 000 acres will be sufficient to be grown essentially for poul try. “SMALL SEEDS: As far as practicable, the aim is to product sufficient seeds of arable crops and vegetables to meet Dominion needs, together with a surplus available for export, or

as a carryover in lhe case of seeds which do not rapidly decline in germination capacity. Special arrangements are being made for Govern-ment-approved lines of brassica and other small seeds to be grown under contract. Particular pains will be taken to secure the required areas of all these seeds. “PORK AND BACON: A local market is assured for approximately 200 - 000 carcases of pork and 250.000 carcases of bacon. In addition there is a limited export outlet for porkers. "At present there seems little chance of exporting baconers, and as the local market absorbs less than half of the present output the production of baconers should be curtailed. The pig-keeping policy should he based on home-produced foods—namely, dairy by-products and crops grown on the farm specially for pig-feeding meals should be used for growing young pigs and meat meal should be used with whey as in the past, but means should not be used for fattening pigs or finishing them off. The object is to waste no food and sacrifice no pigs. In these uncertain times it is difficult to give long-term advice, hut as the position changes farmers will be kept advised. Third Objective “To maintain the current potentialities of primary production. “ SUPPLEMENTARY FODDER: The acreage of oats and barley for green food and of forage crops, such as turnips, rape, etc., should be maintained at the same level as in 1940-41. A particular objective is the provision of reserves of feed to meet abnormal demands that are likely to arise on account of the probable need to spread killings over a longer period. This points to the advisability, not only of giving all possible attention to arable food crops, but also of conserving, in the form of hay or silage, the maximum amount of available surplus grass growth. "GRAS.; AND (LOVER SEEDS: The aim is to produce sufficient grass and clover seed to make the Dominion self-supporting, and also to provide a carryover to be available to cater for the export trade. Particular attention should bo given to certified seed in the case of perennial ryegrass. Italian ryegrass, cocksfoot, red clover and white clover, on account of certified seed bemg likely to meet with the greater demand. General Observations “(a) Rabbit control should be improved, or at least deterioration of the position should be avoided, especially in high country sheepfarming. Suitable rabbit control would have an early influence on wool production, which forms a feature of our first specific objective. (b) Attention should be given to the raising of high class young ewes, and or quality stock generally—e.g., "marked" heifers and calves so as eventually to strengthen our herds and flocks. (c) The inroads of noxious weeds and of interior invading plants generally should be checked. CONSERVATION OF FERTILISER “As there will be a shortage of superphosphate next year a rationing system will be introduced based on lhe following order of priorities: (1) The maintenance of crop production—e.g., wheat, barley, maize, forage, crops, etc. (2) The establishment of new grass following crop. (3) Top-dressing of established grassland. "Before deciding to top-dress any particular field the farmer should consider seriously whether that field could not be left unmanured for a season without suffering significant deterioration. No fertiliser should be wasted by applying it to areas of land that do not need it. Except in special cases it would appear inadvisable for farmers to break in new land in view of the present position regarding markets and fertiliser supply. Farmers' Loans Emergency Regulations "Although the present trend is not towards increasing production generally,” stated Mr. Barclay, "finance will still be made available to farmers under these regulations, but only for projects that are in line with the above national production programme. The change from butter to cheese supply is a case in point. “The finance committees of district councils will continue to co-operate with officers of the State Advances Corporation in the administration of the regulations."