The Cost of Growing Chaff.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 142, 25 March 1909, Page 4

The Cost of Growing Chaff.

There is some speculation among agriculturists as to the price which will be set this season on oaten chaff. The yield this year will probably be a record In many districts, and at the present time the supply is likely to be greater than the demand. There is still a fair amount of last season's chaff on hand, which is selling at £4 per ton. It is contendeed that the new season's stuff will commence at from £3 to £3 5s per ton, but some buyers are already attempting to beat down the price to £2 12s 6d. With a view to showing the farmer how he really stands in the matter, a "Dominion" representative obtained the following particulars regarding the cost of production per acre from a practical agriculturist in the Wairarapa:—

This return is based on the yield from land like that on the Opaki Plains, stony, with an average crop, which in a few instances might be exceeded by from 20 to 50 per cent. It will be seen that with small crops and low prices there is not a great deal of profit for the farmer, after all his labour and trouble.

£ s d Rent of property per acre 0 15 0 Seed 0 10 0 Ploughing 0 9 0 Manuring 0 5 0 Harrowing, two strokes 0 3 0 Drilling 0 2 0 Rolling 0 2 0 Catting 0 8 0 Stooking and Stacking 0 6 0 Cutting and Delivering 0 11 6 Total 3 11 6 Yield, say, 2 tons per acre 0 at £3 5s per acre 6 10 Less cost 3 11 6 Profit 2 18 6