PRIMARY PRODUCTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18890, 4 January 1927, Page 10

PRIMARY PRODUCTS.

REVIEW OF PAST YEAR. EFFECT OF DROUGHTS. [TB£ PBESS Special Service.] VELLIXGTO!.. January 3. The calendar year just closed has been one showing variation in climatic conditions, and in production in various parts of the Dominion, the moat prominent feature being the very serious drought affecting a considerable portion of the East Coast area of the Korth Island over a period of several months. In addition, considerable dairying area* experienced unfavourable weather condition* in the spring of last season, and this vrat reflected in a reduction in the total output of dairy produce a> compared with the previous year. In the above terms the Director of Agriculture (Dr. C. J. Keakesj referred to the year which had just closed, when asked by a reporter for a review of the agricultural position. Unfavourable weather prevented hay crops being available. In some districts, proceeded Dr. Beakei, to the extent which was necessary for providing dairy cattle with a soSciency. The yield of dairy produce, as thonn by the eiport grading figures, was less than in the previous year. The grading figures for the twelve months ending July 31st (the usual dairying year) were: Batter, 52,357 tons, a decrease of 10.9 per cez,t. as compared with the preceding twelve months, and cheese 74,445 tone, an increase of 5.9 per cent, over the preceding twelve months. In terms of butter-fat this shows an orerall decrease of 5.G per cent. For the current season the position relating to the volume of production has improved considerably since its opening. Comparing the production for the four months August to November with the corresponding period of the previous year, the production of butter was 9.9 per (cent, greater, and cheese 2.3 per cent, greater, or equal to an increase in butter-fat of 7.6 per cent. , , Vanning practice in the principal dairying districts continues to show a gradual improvement, the most notable feature being the increased use of top-dressing for pastures. Ther» is still plenty of room for improvement in the provision of winter feed for cows and for good feeding throughout the milking season. The use of purebred bulls to head the ordinary dairy herds is extending, though it is more marked in some disticts than in others. For the season 1925-26 dairy herd-testing in the Dominon showed a slight decrease in the number of cows under test a* compared with the preceding season. The certificate of record testing of purebred dairy cows also shows a slight decline u compared with the previous year. The most probable explanation is the fall in the sale price of purebred dairy cattle.

Mutton and Beef. A satisfactory increase of about a quarter of a million carcases in the output of lamb from the freeiing work* of the Dominion took place in the past season, although mutton killing* did not equal those of the preceding year Beef production was adversely affected by the lengthy period of droughty weather on the. North Island East Coast. The output of boned beef was fairly well maintained. The increase in lamb took place entirely in the North Inland, the South Island aggregate showing a decrease. Reports, from Otago and Southland indicated that farger numbers than usual of ewe lambs have been held this season by local farmers. Pork. Efforts have been made to induce farmers to increase their output of pork. During the eleven months ended November 30th the quantity of frozen pork exported was 64,678 ewt, as compared with 46,067 cwt m the corresponding period, of, the previous year, while 4327 ewt of bacon and hams were exported, as compared with 3320 cwt in 1925. Sheep Increases. As regards the number of sheep in the Dominion, a farther increase was recorded, the total number (including lambs) at April 30th being 24,904,993, as against 24,547,995 in 1925. Estimates of this season's lambing prepared by inspectors of stock show a lambing of 64.57 per cent., an estimated total of 11,794,699 lambs, ax against an actual lambing of 11,435,780 last year. Wool. Following the high values for wools. in the 1924-25 season, a marked drop occurred in 1925-26, yet this was by no means an unmixed disadvantage, since the prices obtained established a market of quite a stable character, which had continued into the current season with a little improvement. This season's clip is good in quality, except in Hawke's Bay, where drought conditions had their effect. The'l92s-26 clip showed a decrease In the quantity shorn as compared with the preceding year. The weight of wool produced (exclusive of wool sliped at freezing works, etc.) being according to the Government Statistician's returns 173,402,--7641b as against 185,000,5451b in 1924-25. This is largely accounted for by a shortage in the Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington districts. Cattle Decrease. The number of cattle of all classes in the Dominion again shows a alight decrease, the total being 51,258 less than in 1925. Dairy cows alone show a decrease of 19,576. Pratt. The 1925-26 season proved to be a good one for fruit growers, the production ' of apples and pears especially being well above the average in quantity,-and good in quality. The' prospects for the current season are good, and it seems reasonable to believe that the overseas market will be a better one than was the case last'year. Grain Crops. The season 1925-2G was not particularly satisfactory from the point of view of the areas harvested of both our two main cereal crops. The actual wheat area threshed waa 15,673 acres. The yield per sere, although up to the Dominion normal average, was slightly over two bushels per acre less than for 1924-25. The two factors mentioned combined to bring about a total yield of wheat; of 4,617,041 bushels, against 5,447,758 bushels, a decrease of 830,717 bushels when compared with the previous season. ■' Importations of wheat had, , therefore, to be made, and for the. eleven months ended- November last (the December figures are not yet available) the quantity imported was 4,534,143 bushels. The total area in oats was 347,541 acres, of which 102,485 acres - were thrashed for grain. The yield of grain was 4,115,606 bushels,, a decrease of 1,591,5*68 bushels when compared with the previous year. The average Dominion yield per' acre was, however, very satisfactory, and was the highest •avera'go yield obtained for quite* a number of years past. The actual yield per acre was 40.14 bushels, and the next highest for the.past ten or twelve years was in 1918-19, when the yield was 39.87 bushels. One gratifying matter so far as cereals were concerned was the increased' yield per acre obtained in barley. The per aere yield increased from 31.75 bushels in 1924-25 to 86.47 bushels in 1925-26. , In the former season 25.138 acres were 'sown to barley, and in 1925-26 this area was increased by "131 acres. . The increased yield per acre, however, was mainty responsible for an increase in the Dominion yield of 148,874 bushels. The Coming Harvest. ' <h*No definite figures are yet available in - _rd to the areas sown in wheat and oats regard-* 1026-27 harvest, now close at hand, for thto. estimate has been prepared by the bat an mt Statistician on information furGovernmt I- October. This estimate indicates nished in " r e '->rahly increased areas have been that considt.. wheat and oatnv Providod a sown in botat i, obtained, and. this is connormal yield i-ljj there should be about 61 fidently expected,-r wheat available against million bushels oi(ltJ a st season,-' an increase 1J million : bushels »_' r irr'i'on bushels. Unof approximately two ffltr..- fldent for Dofortunately, this is hardly ttimujvctions will minior. requirements, and. import*, - • no t j, e have to be made, altltoughNthese will , area as large as in the previous year. Th«.c^„ n in oats should be sufficient to meet Doming requirements: »'"*-..

rotatoes. . The area planted in potatoes in 1925-26 was 23,484 acres, as against 28,092 acres in 1924-25. The yield was, however, approximately three-quarters ot a ton per acre more in 1925-26. The total yield far exceeded the 1924-25 field. This placed New Zealand in a faveur'ablo position, and we were able to export Urge quantities. For the 11 months ended November last, 21,242 tons were exported. N.Z. BUTTER IN AMERICA. (BT CABLE-PRESS ASSOCTATIOK—COFYMOHT.) (AVSTBAIIAII AWD H.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) NEW YORK, January 2. Oiu million nine hundred thousand boxes of Now Zealand butter, including a. direct shipment to. New York, arrived in December, and sold readily. It was oi the high- * eat quality.