Farming TV Programme

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31001, 5 March 1966, Page 8

Farming TV Programme

A WEEKLY television programme aimed specifically at the farming community but which it is hoped will interest townspeople because of the importance of agriculture to the nation will begin tomorrow evening. Known as “Country Calendar,” it will be shown each Sunday on all channels beginning at 7.15

p.m. The 15-minute programme will deal with highlights from national rural news and will include field material and interviews and discussions. It is hoped to feature particularly new techniques and new ideas in farming, but in the relatively brief space of 15 minutes it is not intended to instruct the farmer.

Presenting the programme will be Mr F. G. Barnes, who has been associated with rural broadcasting in the Auckland district for the last six or seven years. Before entering broadcasting Mr Barnes farmed in the Waikato for a number of years and had a pedigree herd. An injury caused him to give up farming.

Mr Barnes hopes to use local rural broadcasting teams throughout the country and their knowledge of their districts in preparing the television programmes. It is intended to give national coverage on the programme and items from Canterbury are likely to feature early in the new series.