FARMING FIGURES

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20346, 10 November 1937, Page 13

FARMING FIGURES

PRODUCTION MAINTAINED BHEEP POPULATION INCREASE (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. “In spite of somewhat adverse seasonal conditions, production has been more than maintained, and the quality of our products continues to attract an increasing number of buyers in available markets," states the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, in his preface to the annual report of the Department of Agriculture presented In the House of Representatives to-day. “Phenomenal prices have ruled for wool, and the various classes of meat have continued to bring a profitable return for the producer, but the butter market is still subject to disturning fluctuations,’’ continued the Minister. “For the purpose of sheltering the dairy-farmer from the vicissitudes of world prices the Government has inaugurated a system of f.o.b. purchase at fixed prices, and the price for the coming season has been designed to give the farmer of reasonable efficiency a fair standard of living. As yet it is impossible to forecast either volumes or prices during the coming export season, but it will be the. objective of the Department of Agriculture by research and educational and instructional work to maintain the reputation which has been won in past years for the products of the Dominion. The farmer’s problems are the Department’s problems, and by blending soience with practice we have made steady progress. Gratifying Feature “One gratifying feature of the production year has been the increase in the number of sheep in the Dominion," stated the Minister. “The total number of sheep In New Zealand on April 30 last was 31,305,818, as against 30,113,704 at the corresponding date last year. This is the highest number ever recorded, the previous record being 30,841,287 in 1930. Particularly significant is the further increase In the number of breedingewes. The total on April 30 last was 19,332,077, an advance of 663.116 on the previous year, and the Dominion record. These figures give every reason to expect an Increase in the mutton and lamb exports during the coming season.

“There has been a slight decrease In the number of dairy cows, but a gratifying rise in the average butterfat returns. The total number of cows in milk and dry in 1936-37 was 1,933,524, as against for the previous season, while the totals for oows in milk were 1,805.405 and 1,823,358 respectively. The average butterfat returns per cow for the season just ended were 228.56 lb for cows in milk and dry, as against 217.93 II). for the previous season. The cows in milk averaged 245.05 lb. last season, as compared with 233.25 lb for 1935-36.

"Year by year pig-raising is becoming an increasingly valuable adjunct to dairying, and to provide for the orderly expansion of the industry the Government has sponsored the settingup of national and district pig councils, whose duty it will be to provide instructional service in pig-production and safeguard the quality of exports overseas.

f ‘The question of livestock research has become a pressing one in recent years, and, although the health of our animals is good in comparison with other countries, the increases in our flocks and herds consequent upon improblems of disease and nutrition. To meet this situation the Government has agreed to extend the research and instructional activities in connection with livestock management. The erection of a new laboratory at Wallaceville, costing £15,000, has been authorised, and increases in the staff will be made when suitable men can be secured."'