WHEAT CROPS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1925, Page 2

WHEAT CROPS.

COST OF production. ASH BFRTOX. Oct. 31. Sonic figures relating Lo the cost of production of uheat in Australia arc '’supplied by Air G. W. bendley. of Elgin. who writes as follows: I have received some interesting figures which have been collected in Australia regarding the cost of growing wheat in the various States. Knnucrand others interested in wheat-growing may find them useful for purposes of comparison with our own (Xew Zealand) costs. The details nre:Suiuli Australia—Turrotlichl Experimental Farm, whose accounts arc kept by (nmpeteiit accouirtants. arc as follows for a tour years’ average Land value, til ds (id per acre; cost per acre, including everything, viz.. interest at ■"> per cent, depreciation, general expenses, cost of cultivation and harvesting. £-1 5s (id. Last years’ average, twenty-four bushels-—equal to 3s 7d per bushel. Xew .'south Wales—Land valued at ■£o per acre; cost. £2 5s (no allowance made for wages of farmer) ; yield. 19.7 bushels per acre—'is 4d per bushel. If farmer's wages arc included, add £1 per acre, making 3s Id per bushel ; hut if the land is of the same valuation as Turretfiold. cost per bushel is Is. Victoria—On land C 8 per acre, on same basis as Xew South Wales, yield twenty bushels per aero, cosl of growing. without tanner's: wages, 2s C!Jd: wages allowance of £1 per acre, cost 3s fid per bushel. 'l'o many Nc.v Zealand farmers the yields per acre in the above returns will be a surprise, as we have been led to believe that Australian yields are often very low. It must, however. I>e remembered that during the last decade or more the Australian system of farming has greatly changed and improved. The liberal use of superphosphate (which, by the way. is much cheaper than in Netv Zealand), and the svstem of alternating wheat with bare fallow, have resulted in greatlv increasing the average vield.

The figures given in the return ate rather meagre, hut still may servo for purposes of comparison, and lie instructive to our wheat-growers.