AGRRICULTURE.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15313, 14 August 1923, Page 6

AGRRICULTURE.

PAST YEAR REVIEWED

PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE.

MINISTER’S OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK.

By Telegraph—Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Monday.

A good all-round period for primary producers with heavy production in main staples, generally satisfactory average market prices, distinctly easier financial conditions, high rainfall in the main season, which, unfortunately led to floods in areas liable to inundation —such are features of the annual report of the Minister of Agriculture, which was laid on the tabic of the House of Representatives to-night. The year which closed, on March 31 witnessed a phenomenal expansion in the dairy industry, with a surplus output of some 06,000 tons of butter and 60,000 tons of cheese. New Zealand may claim to have become the largest exporter of dairy produce in the world, says the Hon. W. Nosworthy (Minister of Agriculture), in his annual review of the industry. As a supplier to the British market, we have now actually taken the lead in cheese, and are running close up to Denmark for first place in the world’s butter supply. The manufacture and export of dried milk has now reached a volume which warrants its regular inclusion statistically, while preserved milk, casein, and sugar of milk must also be reckoned with. Further great expansion of the industry may confidently be expected. Large tracts of fresh land arc ’being brought in; older .pastures are improved by topdressing; the growth of auxiliary forage crops is increasing; better feeding methods are being generally practised. Allied with'these factors is the present remarkable development of the herd-testing system, which, by gradually eliminating unprofitable animals, cannot fail to result in a steady increase in the average yield of dairy cows in the Dominion. Complementary to this movement is the valuable certiflcate-of-record testing system, which provides authenticated purebred sires for grading up the ordinary -herds. The annual statistics taken In January last show an increase of another 100,000 dairy cows in the Dominion, bringing the total number to over 50 per cent higher than five years agoThe markets for butter and cheese have shown great fluctuations during the past year, but average returns for the whole season should be satisfactory to the producers. The aggregate exports from all branches of the industry are valued at between sixteen and seventeen millions sterling -for the year.

The Turn In the Tide. After recording for several succesive years a decrease in the Dominion's sheep stocks, it is very gatifying, the Minister says, to be able to note that a turn has taken place, the preliminary returns, as at April 10 last, showing the substantial increase of over seven hundred thousand head, compared with 1922. The exact position cannot be arrived -at until the complete returns are ready, but it promises well that breeding ewes -have shown an increase in the two .previous years. Another high average lambing percentage was recorded last spring, and lamb fattening for export has boon -carried on a big scale during the -season, in spite of difficult conditions of weather, and feed at times. On the other hand, there has been a considerable drop in mutton killings at the freezing works, due partly to a shortage of wethers, and partly to the high prices for breeding sheep. High average prices have ruled for fat lambs and sheep for export throughout the season—at times, indeed, above current market parity. Wool has continued to appreciate in value —steadily for medium and coarse sorts, and more rapidly for finer qualities—record prices, in fact, have been touched in certain of the latter sorts. The value of the Dominion clip of the year is placed at some twelve millions sterling, an increase of considerably over four millions, compared with the previous twelve months. Having regard to the heavy shrinkage of the last few years in the world’s sheep stocks, the -statistical positior of wool growing may be regarded as very sound. rasioral tnoustry Leads.

The beef market has remained very depressed, although even in this section there has been some renewed activity, exports having exceeded those of the previous season- Prospects seem to have been somewhat better latterly, and it may be hoped that cattle grazing, which Is so important a factor In good pasture management, will be maintained in a proper degree. As regards pigs, the last returns record another substantial increase; the export of frozen pork has also shown expansion this season. Altogether the pastoral section —wool, meat, skins, tallow and other byproducts combined —takes the lead as regards value in the Dominion’s export for the past year. » /

Arable Farming.

As regarers aranie farming, the area under wheat for the 1922-23 season represented a considerable decrease from the exceptionally high area of the preceding year, but the average yield per acre was good. Similar remarks apply to the oat crop. Another heavy shrinkage was recorded in the area under barley; the rye grass harvested for seed was also very much less. On the other hand, the linseed area was nearly doubled. Other crops, of which preliminary statistics are at present available, do not show any marked movement in area or yield. The Government control of the sale of wheat, which had been in force for several years, came to en end with the 1921-22 cron. An agreement ' has been entered into between the wheatgrowers and the flour-millers, governing prices for the past season’s crop. Tlie hemp (phorrnium-fibre) industry has been passing through a period of depression, largely influenced by disease in the phormium plant. The millers arc dealing with the matter of improvement in a very practical way, and the Department is also aiding in rcsearcli work. The marked shrinkage in the production recorded for the lost few years appears, however, to have been arrested, and renewed development in the industry* may* be anticipated.

Fruit Crowing. The development of the fruit-grow-ing industry has been hampered by marketing difficulties, but it is hoped that a system of voluntary standardisation now being introduced will prove to he the forerunner of stable prosperity. The export trade in apples lias registered another increase in volume this year; average returns from the British market, however, seem likely to bo disappointing. Tile marketing of fruit is unfortunately handicapped by the relatively small value of the product., compared with its hulk, and this operates with special force, as regards overseas freight rates and handling. The. .aoA'£Himont..£.varantce on ..espArt.

shipments this year—up to 11s per case —was designed to cover all direct expenses of transport and marketing, and enabled the producers to readily finance consignments. Poultry Industry.

With ample supplies of wheat and conditional relief from the competition of Asiatic egg-puip, the poultry industry is now in an improved position, and the situation can be further ameliorated by a greater degree of cooperation among the poultry-men. It is intended by the latter to systematically test the British market next season, with a view to establishing a regular export trade -in eggs. The beekeeping industry is making steady progress, despite its share of difficulties. The exports for honey for 192223 considerably exceeded those for the previous year.

Board of Agriculture.

The Board of Agriculture, under the chairmanship of Sir James Wilson, has continued to render valuable service, many important matters having been referred to it for advice and recommendation. The mature experience of the members brought to bear on difficult agricultural questions under consideration Has afforded the Department much practical guidance. This year, a new board has been appointed under amended regulations as regards nomination by the agricultural and pastoral societies. Meat Producers’ Board.

The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has accomplished sound work during the year, such as the standardisation of meat grade marks, supervision of grading, and the limitation of small export parcels of meat. The mission of the hoard’s vice-chairman to London met with much success, especially in regard to the negotiation of a new freight contract for frozen meat. There can be no doubt that the concentrated weight and authority of the hoard heh-ind its representative materially influenced the substantial reduction in freight rates conceded by the shipping companies. Appreciation is also due to the New Zealand Wool 'Committee, which has again done valuable work in connection with regulation of the local wool sales and other matters concerning the wellbeing of the wool industry.

Mobilising Resources. Broadly surveying the position, adds the Minister, the capacity of the Dominion for a steadily increasing output of primary products has been well demonstrated by the year’s experience, and, although world conditions are still far from stable, and more or less fluctuation in the value of food products may occur in consequence, there are many factors operating in favour of the sverseas trade in our great staples of production. Altogether the immediate prospects are good, while, as regards the near future, our agricultural and pastoral Industries can be regarded as certain to extend greatly, not only as a result of extension and land settlement, but also, and to a marked degree, through increased production from areas, already settled, and capable, with better farming practice, of producing much more than they -do at the present time. New Zealand itself is a magnificent land for agriculture, and possesses an energetic and capable farming community. Effective mobilisation of our resources, organisation on extended co-operative principles, and a general pulling together are capable of immense results for the Tural Industry and for the Dominion generally.