PRODUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20425, 16 February 1938, Page 6

PRODUCTION

The rains during the last few weeks may have troubled farmers who had not completed bay-making but they 7 must have ensured an ample supply 7 of feed for the herds well intsj the autumn. Farmers have reported that during the last week or two the grass has come away w 7 ell, and that dairy factory figures will be well maintained for the remainder of the season. This is important from the individual and the national point of view. Whatever differences there may be as to the marketing systems, or the basis of payment, all agree that no plan can hope to succeed unless backed by production. The economic stability of the country depends, to a much greater extent than in any other Dominion, on production for export, and if that falls then there follows a whole series of difficult, problems Production is governed to a very large extent by climatic conditions, and it is cheering to think that this season they are conducive to increased output.

There are prospects of a wider market than usual for Canada has had to fill a shortage by importing butter. This will do something to keep stocks in London from becoming excessive, and perhaps tending to weaken prices. It does not matter who owns the butter, State or dairy company. The knowledge that there are huge stocks that must be marketed sooner or later, affects the position. Shipments to Canada should tend to keep the statistical position favourable, and perhaps enable the Marketing Division to enter the early spring months at Home without any' exceptional quantity to meet possible competition from European countries. The idea is to have sufficient to meet the normal requirements until such time as the new season’s make is available. The final figures wall show to what extent recent reports of farmers changing over from dairying to sheep and cattle were based on fact. It seems much more likely that improved carrying capacity on what is essentially sheep country, and to some extent the adoption of mixed farming on areas deemed suitable, explains the demand for sheep from "outside districts. Given a fine autumn the dairy output should go very close to establishing a record.