PROBLEMS ON LAND ALMOST INSURMOUNTABLE

Chronicle (Levin), 6 August 1947, Page 5

PROBLEMS ON LAND ALMOST INSURMOUNTABLE

^ — ■ — - "The difficultieS; through which we have to- increase production are almost insurmountable arip the position seems to be getting worse," said Mr. W. H. Gimblett, chairman of the WellingtonIlawke's Bay Herd Improvement Association, at the annual meeting of the association in Palmerston North yesterday. "We hear members of the Government saying the only hope for New Zeaiand lies in increased production butT do not think they realise the difficulties with which we are faced. This association is not the only body which is up agaitist it in the industry — it is impossible to obtain some irnplements, tools or labour with which to work. " Herd testing fees for the coming seasoai were to be • increased by two shillings per cow, he continued. About 70 per cent of this' increase WoUld go in higher wages to testers. Even at this increase he did- not think the testers were being overpaid but were . being brouglit into line with the rates of pay for other sections of the coramunity. Those farmers who were having their herds tested were doing far more towards increased pi'oduction thau those who were notr. Tested cows averaged 4(3 pounds of fat per cow higher than those untested. In his annual report Mr. Gimblett eommented ou the approximately average season in 1946, but stated that it was regrettably true that world production of food still fell short of even reasonable requirements and that the people of England were still severely rationed. Much more could be aceomplished if farmers were given greater encouragement to increase production by improying their herd averages with the aid of eontinuous testing. To what extent the testing could kelp was revealed in some figures recently taken out by the Direetor of Herd Improvement, which illustrated that herds with seven or more years of testing averaged 46 pounds of fat per eow higher than the Dominion average. If all cows in New Zeaiand produeed the same as those under eontinuous test there would be a further 35,000 tons of dairy produce to send to England eacli year, he eoneluded. The following group remits werepassed: — • "That a systern of exchange or sale of bulls that are in danger of inbreeding be arranged." It was stated that such a. scheme would save many useful bulls from the works for the industry. , "That both stabilisation and the New Zeaiand Dairy Board be approached with a view to increasing grants to herd testing groups, ' ' "That the Rehabilitation Department be approached suggesting that a reasonable time at herd testing should count as farming time served for the purposes of ex-servieemen's A grade farming certificate: " The management eommittee -was instructed to approach the Herd Improvement Council regarding the provision of houses for permanent herd testers in Gertain areas. j I