FARM PRODUCTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26618, 14 November 1947, Page 6

FARM PRODUCTION

ENCOURAGING SURVEY

RECORDS PREDICTED IN ALL CLASSES

EXCELLENT COMMENCEMENT PA WELLINGTON, Nov. 13. The highest spring butter production for seven years was indicated by P re " liminary figures now to hand for August September and October, said the chairman of the Aid to Britain National Council, Mr F. P. Walsh, to-day. He added that the general production picture in the Dominion was most encouraging. Farmers had made an excellent start, Mr Walsh said, and provided the season continued to be favourable there was ground for anticipating that there would be advances in all classes of farm production. In the three months of the season 4000 tons more butter had been graded for export than in the previous similar period. The October gradings of 19,200 tons were 12 per cent greater than the gradings for October, 1946. This increase had not been at the expense of cheese gradings, which, at 10,300 tons for October, represented an increase over the October figures for the two preceding years. Mr Walsh said it was too early yet to make any reliable forecast regarding meat production, but the indications were that it would be another record. The percentages were considerably better than last year, and the prospects were bright for mutton and lamb, but it was difficult to forecast beef and pig production. The increased price for wheat should lead to a substantial increase in acreage, and an increase was also expected in oats, barley and peas. Reports indicated that at least 21,500 acres of potatoes had been planted, a considerable increase on last year. Tobacco growers had planted an extra 10 per cent., bringing the area to the record of 4300 acres. Maori farmers had stepped up dairy production by 20 per cent, and were growing extra crops, including 1000 extra acres of maize. Four thousand exservicemen settled on farms were also making their contribution to aid for Britain.