FARM PRODUCTION

Evening Star, Issue 22142, 24 September 1935, Page 11

FARM PRODUCTION

SATISFACTORY DESPITE ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES "HIGHER STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY The annual report of the DirectorGeneral of Agriculture on the department's activities gives interesting parAniong outstanding features of the vear were:- . 1. A decrease of 4.831 per cent, in the production of butter-fat for the 12 months ended July, 1935, ns compared with the corrseponding period ot the 1933-34 season; this is correlated firstly with the fact that au interim estimate of the average butter-fat production ot all dairy cows in 1934-35 is 2101 b, whereas the final estimate for 1933-o4 was 220.81 b. and, secondly, with the fact that there was a decrease ot £1,413,014 in New Zealand currency in the value of butter and cheese exported during the year ended June 30, 1930. 2 An increase of 247,139 cwt in the weight and £1,473,854 in the value of frozen lamb exported during the year ended Juno 30. . 3. An increase of 88,G4Gcwt in the weight and of £363,319 in the value of the frozen pork exported, which for the first time has reached an annual value r.f over £1,000,000 in New Zealand currency. . 4. A decrease of approximately 21,000,0001 b in the weight and £260.000 in the value of fresh apples exported, 5. A decrease of 239,633 bales in the quantity and £6,959,665 in the declared value or the wool exported. 6. A decrease of 23 per cent, in the estimated acreage and a prospective substantial decrease of approximately five bushels an acre in the yield of the wheat crop, resulting in a prospective crop of approximately 6,600,000 bushels of wheat grown in tho 1934-35 season, in comparison with an ascertained yield of slightly over 9,000,000 bushels in the 1933-34 season. Tho evidence at present available suggests that the local wheat crop may be insufficient to meet local requirements. 7. Little change in tho acreage, but decreases in the yield per acre of oats, barley, and potatoes. 7. An appreciable increase in the amount of phosphatic fertiliser and of lime used.

That the nositiou in respect to farm production has been so satisfactory, despite adverse circumstances, may be attributed partly to the fact that the improvement in the standard of ofli-r-ieiicy in our farming, which has been in evidence of a period of years, has been maintained even ' though the effect of this on production has been masked to some extent by the unfavourable weather experienced during the year; it also maybe attributed partly to the fact that various long-range projects, such as systematic improvement of stock and crops, have now reached the stage when their beneficial results are being reflected more freely in production. THE DAIRYING POSITION. ThO complete figures for the dairying season ended July 31 indicate that there is a decrease of 4.813 per cent, in but-ter-fat production for the 12 months in comparison with the record production for the corresponding period in the 1933-34 season. For the 12 months ended July 31, 1935, the salted butter graded was 131,270 tons and the migal tod 4,947 *ons. w total of 136,217 tons, compared with 135,584 tons, 4,641 tons, and 140.225 tons respectively for the corrscponduig period of the preceding season—a decrease of 2,86 per cent. The'quantities of cheese graded lor Uni 12 months ended July, 1935, were: White, 63,602 tons; coloured, 29,071

tons; a total of 92,G73 tons, compared with 09,870 tons, 33,812 tons, and 103,682 tons respectively for the corresponding period of the previous season — a decrease of 10.62 per cent.

Despite a falling off in the amount of butter exported from this Dominion, Now Zealand has for the first time supplanted Denmark as the principal source of. butter imported by Great Britain. This is accounted for by the fact that while the imports of butter by Britain from New Zealand for the seven months ended July, 1935, were less by 9,781 tons, those from Denmark were less by 13,447 tons. While the decline of imports from Denmark may be of some significance as reflecting the reaction of that country to the market position during recent years, some significance also attaches to the fact that the total imports of butter by Great Britain during the period specified decreased by 17,644 tons, it is noteworthy that this decline appears to be associated with under-consumption rather than with over-supply; while the consumption of butter was 25.21 b per head last year, representing an increased average consumption of 6jlb per capita since 1930, health authorities state that the average consumption of butter for each individual should approximate 521 b per annum as a fairly liberal estimate—each increase of 11b per capita per annum in Britain would absorb approximately 20,000 tons additional butter.

Now Zealand continues to be by far the biggest supplier of cheese to Britain. The decline of 12,074 tons in the cheese imports by Britain from New Zealand during tho seven months ended July 31. 1935, is associated with a decrease of 8,655 tons in the total cheese imported by Britain during the same period—the discrepancy between the decrease in supplies from Now Zealaiw and that in total supplies is accounted for principally by increased supplies from tho Netherlands.

As was forecasted in tin’s report last year, the number of dairy cows has increasdo, but tho increase for tho year Ims not been'so great Us in recent previous years. It is of some practical moment that tho decrease in the total amount of hutter-fat produced has coincided with an increase in the number of dairy cows, tho interim total of which was 1.949,505 at January 31, 1935, whereas the final total at tho same date in 1934 was 1,932,511. The joint effect of the downward movement ni total production and the upward movement in tlio total number of cows is a fairly substantial falling off in tho annual average production of' our dairy cows. Tho direct principal cause of this was tho adverse season, duo to the dry summer—evidence which shows that our herds are very sensitive to the degree of efficiency in their feeding, and which suggests that any substantial upward trend in average herd production must bo based upon an improved general standard of feeding. In short, in the future better breeding without tetter feeding of our stock does not promise nujch general advancement in average production per cow. Despite a season which, mainly because of the hot summer weather militated against high quality in dairy produce, the quality of both butter and cheese forwarded for grading was well maintained. An increase in tho proportion of cream delivered daily is considered to have, assisted materially in bringing about an increase in the average grade of butter for the year. Although the position in respect to the quality of our dairy produce has teen kept satisfactory', it is well recognised that there is still scope for improvement in the condition in which 'some of onr dairy produce reaches tho consumer, and certain means that would tend to bring about sonic improvement in this respect are specified in the papended report of tho Director of the Dairy Division. Other possible ways of obtaining improvement are the subject of. current rose: "eh.

When all' aspects o£ the dairying position arc considered it becomes clear that the dairying community deserves congratulation and commendation for the way its difficulties have been dealt 'with—at the end of a period of stress, production and quality have been well maintained; by the developments in respect to pigkeeping a source of additional income has been exploited increasingly, and still further exploitation of it seems in prospect; and by attention to such_ matters as pasture improvement, semi-official testing, and herd testing a good deal of budding for the future has taken place. Further progress towards the fullest possible efficiency promises to be largely by decreased production costs and improved quality. THE SHEEP-FARMING POSITION. The markedly buoyant condition of sheep farming m 1934 was replaced by a much less satisfactory one in 1935. The change was, due primarily to the great change in the price for wool. The quantity 'exported during the year ended June 30, 1935, fell by 239,633 bales (29 per cent.), and the average declared value per bale (£lO 17s 2d) was 33 per cent, less than the previous year’s figure of £l6 3s 2d, with the result that the declared value of wool exported in the year ended Juno 30, 1935, was less by £6,959,665 than in the corresponding previous year. On the other hand it has been computed by the Census and Statistics Office that the quantity of wool in store in New Zealand at June 30, 1935, represents approximately 87,300,0001 bin the grease, ns compared with 49,800,0001 b at June 30. 1934, and 78,600,000 at June SO, 1933.

Statistically the world wool position appears distinctly satisfactory from the viewpoint of producers. While estimates of the world sheep population may he far from accurate, it is noteworthy that recent decreases in the flocks of the major sheep-producing countries have been observed in almost every case. On the other hand the sheep population of New Zealand has increased in both 1934 and 1935, so that at April 30, 1935, it is 29,078,678, compared with 28,649,038 at the same date in 1934; the 1935 total is only about 6 per cent, lower than the peaklevel attained in 1930. Further, statistics indicative of the stocks of wool on hand in the principal consuming countries point to lower totals than 1 at the corresponding times last year—e.g., stocks of wool in warehouses in the principal ports in the United Kingdom totalled 165,000.0001 b at April 30. 1935., compared with 215,000,0001 b at' the same time last year, and stocks of raw wool in Japan at the end of February, 1935, were 45,800,0001 b, whereas at the same date in 1934 they were 60,000,000 lb. Finally, data relative to the trade in woollen goods arc encouraging _ to producers. Though returns compiled by the British Board of Trade reveal slightly decreased activity in the woollen and worsted and hosiery trades in the first quarter of 1935, compared with the position in the corresponding period last year, the exports of woollen ■goods during the five mouths ended ivlav 31. 193 b, were higher on the average, than during that period of 1934. Vctivity in the woollen-manufacturing industries in the United States recently has increased substantially, but this is offset by the fact that in France and Germany it is at a lower level than was the case last year. The export trade of Japan in woollen goods has increased substantially during the past vear. The generally favourable weather prior to shearing was reflected in the condition of the wool clip, , in which there was more combing wool than in the previous season. The “ binning ” by woolbrokers of the wool of owners of small Hocks, which is becoming standard practice, is instilled by the results. The serious decrease by over half a million in braeding-ewes in 1932 was followed by an increase of 146,637 in 1933, and another increase of 361,729

in 1934. Interim figures give an increase of 237,493 in 1935, resulting in a total of 17,808,919 breeding-ewes at April 31, 1935—the highest number ever recorded. The estimated average percentage of lambing in 1934 (89.24 per cent.) was slightly less than in 1933 (89.82 per cent.), but appreciably above the average of the 12-year period ending 1934. For tho rear ended Juno 30, 1935, the frozen lamb exported amounted to 2.796,()37cwL 6f , a declared value in New Zealand currency of £8,833,289, the corresponding figures for the previous year. being 2.548.898cwt‘ and £7,358.435. Tho killings for the 10 months ending July 31, which enable a better comparison between seasons to be made were 8.828,487 in 1934-35. compared with _ 8,742,972 in 1933-34. The average weight of lambs killed for export up to June 30 was 82,71 b, the lowest average weight during the past .10 seasons and attributable to the unfavourable summer conditions. During the 10 months ended Julv 31. 1936. there were killed for export 948,259 wethers and 1,192,996 ewes,_ the figures for the corresponding period in the previous season being 841,242 wethers and 988,122 ewes. The average weight of wethers killed for export for the nine months ended June 30, 1935, n’ as 53.31 b, and that of ewes 53.41 b. The average weights in the 1933-34 season wore wethers. 54.71 b; ewes, 64.41 b. The increases in tho killings of wethers and ewes are reversals of what took place in 1933-34, and it is noteworthy that the number of ewes killed for export during the 10 months to July 31. 19?' exceeds that for any other season since 1923,24, except that of 1931-32, when the prices obtainable for wool and for all classes of meat were abnormally low. 1 The data available are not indicative of any appreciable change in the position relative to beef-production. The interim live-stock statistics indicate a falling-off in tho number of cattle other than dairy cows as at January 31, 1935. of approximately 28,000 in comparison with the previous year. ARABLE CROPS. The reports of tho Fields Division officers contain the following;— The vagaries of tho weather, taken as a whole over the year, were not conducive to exceptional yields in the arable crops. Nevertheless, although below tho previous year’s figures, the yields obtained have been quite good. As regards the wheat crop, that portion of the crop threshed during the period January-March, 1935, amounting to 4,347,750 bushels, gave an average yield per acre of 26.98 bushels, as against an actual yield for the 193334 season of 31.56 bushels per acre. The whole area in wheat for 1934-35 is estimated to be only 77 per cent, of that for tho previous season, and the total yield of wheat for the current season is expected to be approximately 6.500.000 bushels only, as against an ascertained yield of 9,036,017 bushels for the 1933-34 season. The total yield of wheat will hardly be sufficient unless the actual yield over the season is greater than is estimated for Dominion requirements, and in these circumstances tho importation of some milling wheat would undoubtedly have to take place. The vield per acre of oats has also dropped appreciably when compared with that obtained in 1933-34. The estimated area sown to oats for 193435 was 312,000 acres, as against an actual area harvested the previous season of 296,498 acres. Actual threshings for the January-March, 193 ft period disclose a per-acro yield of 38.17 bushels, as against an actual yield over the whole Dominion for the 193334 season of 41.39 bushels. The area from which oats were threshed for the five seasons ended March 30, 1934. averaged 23 per cent, of the total area under that crop. _ Assuming that a similar proportion is threshed this year, the total yield of grain should be ap nroximatcly 2.670,000 bushels, as against 3.242,500 bushels for the season 1933-34. It is estimated that 22,600 acres were sown in barley for the 1934-d5 season, as against an actual area harvested the previous season of 21,801 acres. As in tho case of both wheat and oats, the yield per acre of the barley crop for 1934-35 is estimated to be lower than for tho season 1933-34. Tho actual yield per acre for the latter season was 34.77 bushels, while tho estimated yield for the 1934-33 season is 28 bushels per acre. Assuming that, the same percentage of the barley crop as was threshed last year will be similarly dealt with this year, the total •vield of grain should be approximately 450.00 bushels, as against <SO. Job ImslieU actually obtained lor the season 1933-34,

The area in potatoes in 1934-35 was estimated at 20,300 acres, as against an actual area for the Dominion for tho previous season of 25,028 acres. I “is impossible at the present. date to forecast tho yields of the mam crop ot potatoes. In most _ districts, how ei er, it is anticipated yields generally are likeiv to be considerably lower than the previous season, as Most crops suffered severely from the hot dry weather experienced over such a long period during the summer and early autumn. export of fruit. The export of fruit from the Dominion has reached considerable proportions in recent years. As the result of careful organisation in the past, particularly in regard to export, New Zealand-grown fruit has gained a very prominent position on the .overseas markets, and every effort is being made to maintain the present high standard* The 1934 crop of apples and pears being above the average, the export season for that year was a particularly busy one for all connected .with the export of fruit, and the. inspecting officers attached to the division were kept fully engaged in the inspection ot the various lines coming forward. Although it was found necessary to reject a fair quantity of fruit as being unsuitable for export on _ account ot excess of blemish (russeting), slack packing, immaturity, etc., the work as a whole proceeded smoothly, the majority of growers adhering to the requirements cl the export regulations. The total quantity of fruit shipped overseas during tho 1934 export season amounted to 1,574,912 cases, which shows an increase of 144,399 cases as compared with the previous year# figures. Of the total exported, 1,129.338 cases apples and 106,202 cases pears were consigned to Great Britain: 229.105 cases apples and 810 cases Dears to the Continent of *mrope: 51.369 cases apples to Canada ; 19,080 cases pears to Sweden; and oo,oim vises apples to South America. Tho bulk of the fruit was exported under the Government guarantee "of lid per case for “ extra fancy and *' fancy ” grades, and 9s 5d per case for “ good”’ grade in respect to certain varieties, and in regard to other varieties 9s 5d per case for extra fancy ” and “ fancy ” grades, and 8* lid for “good” grades. The guarantee was also conditional on each exporter contributing lid per case on all. fruit exported under the guarantee, the fund thus created to be utilised to offset claims arising from market and transportation losses. In the event of tho fund not being, sufficient to meet such claims, the Government undertook to bear, the balance of any expense that might be involved. lh« loading and stowage of the fruit, on the overseas vessels was generally careful, and there was a noticeable improvement in comparison ivith that obtaining in previous seasons. Notwithstanding this, a general supervision was essential, The bulk of the fruit reached its destination in good condition, and the prices realised, taking the season as a whole, were considered satisfactory, there being no recourse, of any extent on the guarantee. An interesting feature of the 1934 season’s export was tho record quantity exported irohi the Ndson Province, the total reaching 1,008,538 cases (968,611 cases apples and 39,927 cases pears). To commemorate this event the millionth case was forwarded to London, addressed to Lord Rutherford, of Nelson. Exports of apples and pears from the Dominion during the last five years are as follows: —1930, 1,330,891, cases; 1931, 1,349,895 cases: 1932, 1,596,058 Cases; 1933, 1,430,513 cases; 1934, 1,574,912 cases. Owing to a light crop arid other causes, it is expected that the quantity of fruit exported during -the 1935 season, which is now in full swing, will only be slightly in excess of 1.000,000 cases. The first of this season’s shipments , left New Zealand per _ s.s. Akaroa on February 4, and consisted pf 6,000 cases appifes arid 39 crises pears. . :