AGRICULTURAL YEAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1922, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL YEAR.

THE MINISTER'S SURVEY, ■ “The agricultural year of 1921-22 may be recorded as, on the whole, a good one in regard to climatic conditions and production. The winter was mild generally, while the summer and autumn were marked by abundant rains, which proofed continued growth of pastures and benefited moat crops, although in certain districts unduly prolonged wet periods interfered with t he harvesting of cereals. The health of live stock in general was good, and the Dominion maintained its complete freedom from serious animal diseases which have been proinent of late in various other parts of the world. “In the pastoral farming section a high average lambing percentage was recorded, and lamb fattening was carried out on an exceptionally extensive scale. The wool clip as a whole was a good one. The dairy industry had a record year in production, the aggregate quantity of butter-fat represented in the official gradings of butter and cheese showing an increase of no less than 32% per cent, over that of the preceding season (which had also marked a record). Dairying, indeed, is steadily assuming a dominant position among the primary industries of the Dominion. The feature in arable farming was the heavy production of wheat, the area cropped being the largest since 1898-99, and the average yield some 30 bushels per acre. Good yields were also recorded in other cereals. The fruitgrowing, poultry, and bee-keeping industries all demonstrated a marked development. On the other hand, in the hemp (phormium fibre) industry the output again showed a shrinkage, due partly to depressed market conditions,, but also largely to disease in the plants in certain important areas. Some improvement as regards this latter factor has been noted of late, however. “The live stock position from the statistical aspect shows varied features. The outstanding item is a further decrease of about one million head in sheep, making a total reduction of some four millions in the last four years. The leading factors contributing to this downward movement are largely interdependent. and may be stated as excessive slaughter for freezing and export, the. development of the dairy industry, and a decreased carrying capacity of much sheen country, hill pastures in particular. An increase of some 335,000 dairy cows has been recorded during the same period of four years (including 125,000 this year), but this does not counter-balance, in grazing equivalent, the decrease in sheep. “The full sheep returns of 1922 are not available at date of writing, and thus the present position as regards breeding ewes, etc., cannot be closely analysed. Last year there was a conrecovery in the number of breeding ewes, and the strong demand for ewes this season has been a good sign. It is to be feared, however, that an undue proportion of the season’s ewe lambs suitable for reinforcing the flocks has been disposed of by sheep-farmers for freezing, stress of financial conditions bein<z responsible to a great extent. The whole situation demands serious study in all its aspects both by the representative agricultural and pastoral bodies and the Department, with a view to staying this shrinkage in one of our most important soiu’ces of wealth. It is satisfactory to note a further increase of some 30,000 in pigs. Horses again show a moderate decline, doubtless corresponding with the continued increase in the use of motor vehicles.”