COWS OR SHEEP?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1709, 8 May 1917, Page 4

COWS OR SHEEP?

A PROBLEM OF EFFICIENCY. The following very interesting communication bearing on national efficiency has been placed at the disposal of our Palmerston morning contemporary: — James 11. Stevens, Esq., Chairman Efficiency Board Trustees, Palmerston North. Sir. —As the representative chosen by the Rongotea farmers to assist your Board, I desire to place before you the following facts connected with the dairy industry in this district; — There is a tendency among dairy farmers drawn (or likely to .be drawn) in the ballot to sell their herds and run sheep, thus making the management of their farms a more feasible proposition. 1 desire to make clear to you the effects of this policy from three points of view:— (1) FROM A NATIONAL POINT OF VIEW. Every acre of first-class dairying land that runs sheep instead of cows means a loss in production of at least £3 10s per annum. 1 append a statement, based on actual figures, bearing out this contention. The. cost of the war to New Zealand, as you know, now stands at £24,000,000. The best way of all to

meet the annual charge incurred by this debt is to stimulate production. The Efficiency Board should countenance no policy which has the effect of decreasing production. (2) FROM THE DAIRY INDUSTRY POINT OF VIEW.

A tremendous number of dairy herds will be on the- market next spring. Owing to labour difficulties few of these will be absorbed into other herds; the bulk of them will be bought by graziers and run on the back country to fatten for beef. In a few months, herds that have taken years to build up by careful selection and the use of high-pric-ed bulls will disappear. The splendid work of the New Zealand Government in encouraging the breeding of purebred dairy stock will be undone, and the dairy industry will take at least five years to reca -r. At the end of the war the present difficulty of securing a good herd will be greatly aggravated. (3) FROM THE DAIRY COMPANIES’ POINT OF VIEW. The dairy companies are the mainstay of the country districts. With butter at 19d per lb the overinn from a cow producing 2001bs. of butler-fat in the season gives a daily factory a revenue of £2 Ids per annum to pay manufacturing expenses —in other words, to give employment in the country districts, to pay wages, fuel, boxes, railage, cartage, etc. THE REMEDY. If the exigencies of the military situation permit, a few months’ delay now may be the salvation of the dairy industry. Could the Etficien v Board feel Justified in reeommending to the Government that the cases of bona fide dairy farmers drawn in the ballot from now on be I,chi over until the First Division is exhausted, when the cases could be reconsidered ? The men taken from their farms notv can be of no use, unfortunately, fai the summer offensive on the Western front. If their' cases were adjourned till (say) September, (here is a possibility that events at the .-eat of war would bo so fur advanced in the Allies’ favour that

the New Zealand Government would feel justified in regarding dairy farming an essential industry. There is also a possibility that, by that time, the United States will be in a position to supply sufficient men to enable our Dominion to relax the strain.

I desire to assure you that every dairy farmer in this district recognises New Zealand’s first aim is to help win the war; everything must, be subservient to that. If the Government, knowing the serious outlook for the dairy industry, still believes it essential that every dairy farmer balloted should go to the fighting line, the sacrifice will be cheerfully made. Our one desire is to assist the Government in the serious crisis through which we are now passing.—l am, sir, Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) WILLIAM DARRAGH. STATEMENT SHOWING VALUE OF DAIRY PRODUCE, ETC., DERIVED FROM A FARM AT RONGOTEA , OWNED BY A— B . Farm consists of 30(5 acres firstclass land. Carrying capacity 150 cows; but owing to labour difficulties only 120 cows milked throughout this season. Quantity of butter-fat supplied to factory will average about: 2001bs. per cow, which is a fair average for dairy cows. INCOME FOR SEASON. 24,0001b5. butter-fat at 19d £I,BOO 98 calves at £4 10s 440 Pigs 140 £2,380 An average of £7 15s per acre. Had the farm been fully stocked, 011011101' £1 15s per acre would have been realised, making a total of £9 10s per acre. If this farm is stocked with sheep (as it probably will be), say 31 to the acre, the highest, return that can be looked for is £(i per acre. This figure is put forwent after careful enquiry in the district. There is thus a Joss of £3 10s per acre, making a total annual loss on this farm of £1,070.