MARKED DROP

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3294, 30 July 1943, Page 5

MARKED DROP

PRODUCTION FROM FARMS REDUCTION IN HERDS LABOUR & FERTILISER NEEDED “ It behoves us to take a good look at our general position as producers,” said Mr R- A. Candy, chairman of the Auckland Herd Improvement Association, at the fourth annual meeting in Hamilton recently, when referring to difficulties that had developed since the last annual meeting. “We have finished another dairying season with a further marked drop in production. This has now assumed very serious proportions because, never since the war started has this production been so important to the war effort. “At the very moment when Britain is requiring an increase in production from us it appears that it is almost inevitable that a further decrease will be recorded. The total killings of cull cows in the Auckland Province has increased by almost 50 per cent, in the last two years. This has largely been brought abbut by the acute labour shortage on farms. The shortage of fertiliser is also playing its part. The net result is that our national dairy herd for the coming season is likely to be lower in numbers ' than it has been for the last ten years.

Shipping Requirements

“We can provide increased production only if additional labour is made available and additional fertiliser provided in the shortest possible time. If the war against the U-boats can continue as satisfactorily as it has in the last few months, then with the additional shipping becoming available the latter should not be impossible. If we cannot get a few ships to deliver to us the necessary fertiliser to assist in producing the additional tonnages of foodstuffs required by the Old Country and the armed forces in the Pacific, it is of little use to provide many ships to take away production expected of us. If the Government will give some- assurance to the farming community that they will provide fertiliser and manpower, I am satisfied that the farmers will do the rest.”

Mr Candy said they must also take stock of what would be required of lhem in the immediate post-war years. Tk> assure the future of the industry it was necessary for farmers to rear wherever possible an increased number of calves during .this spring. They must remember that it would be two years before these calves come into the herds as producers, and many were hopeful that by that time the clouds of war would have rolled by. If so, they would be in the midst of rehabilitating many farmers and farm lands. The additional cattle would be required for that purpose, and their produce would be playing a vital part in feeding the millions released from Nazi control. Advantage of Proved Stock “I feel that the men returning from this war to take up dairy farming will be able to start with many advantages not available to the men settled after the last war,” said the chairman. “At that period we had no adequate measuring rod with which to judge the stock, both male and female, «that were made available to the soldier settlers. To-day the position is quite different. Over 40,000 calves reared each year are being individually identified, over 1000 sires have been surveyed, that is, their ability or inability to reproduce relatively high-producing cattle has been assessed. This number should more than double in the next two or three years. It should therefore be possible to provide soldier settlers with cattle which, if properly fed, will be a real asset to themselves and the country, and not the liability that many were to those settled after the last war. In this connection lam sure -that all Herd Improvement Associations throughout New Zealand will be prepared to give the utmost assistance at all time, and I feel that this assistance will be very material help to the parties concerned.”

Mr Candy said he viewed the future of the industry with confidence provided they never stopped in their drive for increased efficiency. They must keep abreast of scientific advances in production, and marketing. Their own organisation was playing no mean P art battle for increased efficiency. “Provided we continue to utilise to the full our initiative, and examine all facts associated with our industry, pleasant or unpleasant, in an impartial manner, I am satisfied,” Mr Candy concluded, “that this great industry will continue to bring renown to our country together with economic security, satisfaction and pleasure to our farmers.”