N.S.W. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 79, 28 December 1918, Page 10

N.S.W. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

j-MARKETS BEANCH PROPOSED. ! : The annual report of the New South Wales Department of Agrioulturo for the year ended June 30 last shows that the cash expenditure totalled .£335,753, oxgeedingsthat of tho previous year by y>14.610; The actual expenditure, however, on most of tho farms, also on bulk handling of wheat, wits less, but this iWas offset by tho amount expended in emergency, country grain silos nnd increased expenditure on tho construction pf grain elevators. The ensh receipts amounted to <£74,275, exceeding last year's fcy .£3686. The collections of the Hawkesbuiy College and experiment fan'ins amounted to .£53,432, the largest recorded in the history of tlie Department, ami JBXoeeding' tho previous record by .£5889. I; Reference is made to the improvement of the Department's studs of 'cattle, horses, sheep, and milch goats, and the influenco of this on live etock generally. The sheep flocks returned the Department a handsome profit over working expenses, of Jttl,2S6 from 13,776 sheep, exclusive of lambs, on hand on Juno-30 Jast, valued at ,£35,111, and farmers and graziers had 'been furnished with valuable data on which to base tlieir operations. The live stock on tho Slate farms (totalling 40,313 acres) on June 30, comprised 737 horses, 862 cattle, 14,450 sheep, ?57 pigs, 77 goats, 84 mules, 6 donkeys, nnd 71 ostriches.

I:. The necessity for a scheme of bulk handling of grain would shortly be met by the completion of fho system of storage silos, the greater number of which jvould be available for handling tho coming season's crop. ■ Jji> connection with the requirements bfthe. Departrnqnt the establishment of & markets branch is referred to as a matter of pressing nooessity, as a connecting link between the trade «nd commercial iommisaioners abroad and headquarters, in order that the fullest benefit may acbrue from their operations. The first requirement for such a branch is stated to bo the appointment of a successful business man. having not only a good' general knowledge of the products of the State and the Australian. overseas markets, but who would be a good organiser and iadministrator.: ■. The .salary'suggest-, sd is JSoo;..or preferably JU00O,: per: an-' tuim. Hβ would l>6 required to keep in touch with production 'prospects,- and'allproduce, trade, andmarket developments/, locally ,arid abroad. v It-.is: pointed out that'there.is immenso' scope locally for v markets branch in organising farmers to','; undertake v Various ' forms ■of co-; Dpo'rative 'enterprise; such as bacon'and butter factories, fruit-packing sheds, purshase of manures, spray materials, and >ther necessities, also the organisation of local markets. ,In view of the adoption. ijE bulk handling, there will eventually oe an-immense amount ~of<ivbrk involved in the storing, shipping, and marketing ii wheat and other cereals. In addition, 'he-report states that there is the like-, lihood that in the course of time there; jrjll be large Government cold stores for' fondling such commodities as meat, ponl-; try,? rabbit, dairy produce, fruit, etc. ■