AGRICULTURAL YEAR.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18440, 22 September 1931, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL YEAR.

SEASON REVIEWED. INCREASE IN PRODUCTION. FALL IN MARKET VALUES. (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Monday. “ Notwithstanding diflicult working conditions due to the necessity for economy, the varied services of the department for the agricultural industries have been well and efficiently maintained,” states the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch, in a preface to the annual report of the Department of Agriculture, wl.?_h has been presented to Parliament. “ On the scientific side,” the Minister proceeds, " much valuable work is recorded from the plant research station at Palmerston North., while the Wallaeeviile veterinary laboratory report indicates a keen attack on animal health problems, in keeping with similar work overseas. The chemistry organisation continues to do most useful work, particularly in connection with soil and pasture de-

ficiency investigations. Imperial Bureaux. “In all this scientific work close touch 'is maintained with the related I Imperial Agricultural Research Bu- | rcaux and overseas roseadeh centres, i I wish to acknowledge with much ap- i predation the valuable grants made | by (he Empire Marketing Board to- I wards the cost, of various important investigations. Never lias agricultural | research been of greater moment ttian at present, and it may lie fairly claimed (hat the department, is giving a good return for .the expenditure by practical application of the knowledge gained. “ A feature of the past agricultural year has been a continued increase in production of most of our primary stables. On the oilier hand, a sub- ! stantial decline in the Dominion’s ! sheep slock is recorded after a series ! of years marked by rapidly increasing numbers. This check, however, may be largely ascribed to causes capable of rectification. Arable production was satisfactory in general, despite weather handicaps, a fact which reflects improved farming practice, based largely on the department’s experimental work and advice. “ On the marketing side our agricultural industries have had to face the prevailing universal economic depression. "* While the increased output of marketable products provided a valuable offset to this, Ihe position calls for special effort by producers towards the reduction of costs and a related increased per-aerc yield. Various measures are being taken to this end, and the Department of Agriculture is endeavouring to carry out Its share of the Government policy. Cheese Quality. “ The dairy industry," he added, “ has gone through a difficult year, falling market values for. both butter and cheese, combined with the development in the British market of a strong prejudice against cheese standardisation, being outstanding features. The improvement of cheese quality is J having marked attention, and it is ! realised that those engaged in cheese manufacture fully appreciate the necessity for this. The department’s specialist officers are working in close co-ordination with the Dairy Research 'lnstitute in its investigations. “ The increase in the department's estimates of expenditure for the current financial year is due to its taking over the whole cost of the concessions on railway freight-rates for the carriage of farm fertilisers and lime. The shrinkage in the us'e of fortil of late, owing to financial stress, is recognised as a matter of the utmost concern, and the Government is using Ihc organisation of the Rural Intermediate Credit Board to facilitate advances io farmers on Ibis account. “ Some encouragement in the present position is afforded by evidence that bedrock lias apparently been reached in the price-level of our main exports. Hard work, improved practice. and mutual sacrifice among all interests will go far towards the economic advance of our agricultural industries.”