Higher Output of Cheese has First Place in Taranaki

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

Higher Output of Cheese has First Place in Taranaki

A 14-point plan for increasing farm production, output was set out in detail by Mr. R. B. Tennent, director of primary production, Wellington, in the August issue of the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture. The "points" are:— (1) The growing of additional areas of ,supplementary forage crops. These crops, such as rape, turnips, swedes, ehou moellier, mangels, etc.,, will facilitate the fattening and wintering of .stock, thereby (a) more adequately feeding the present stock carried, and (b) gradually increasing summer and winter carrying capacity. (2) The saving of all surplus grass for hay and silage should be a definite objective. This offers considerable possibilities in conserving and utilising material which might otherwise go to waste; it is a sound practice, and should be profit-earning. Material with a potential value, such as wheat straw, should be saved. (3) Increasing our cheese production by at least 15,000 to 20,000 tons. Suppliers at a reasonable distance from cheese factories are being asked to deliver milk all the season, and the peak production of cheese factories is to he maintained by more distant suppliers delivering milk to cheese factories at the beginning and end of the season. (4) So far as possible maintaining butterfat production at its present level. Every endeavour should be made by topdressing and the provision of adequate feed to maintain our dairy herds at the highest peak of production so that the Dominion may retain its present output of butter and inci-ease its output of cheese as outlined above.

(5) The production this season of an additional 10,000 tons of bacon. Our objective here ,is clear-cut and definite. Every dairy farmer should strive his utmost to carry more pigs to baconer weight. This will call for the immediate planning of crops and feed for the coming season and suitable accommodation for an increased number of pigs. The attainment of our objective in this connection will mean that our losses in pig-meat production experienced' in recent seasons have been recovered. It will not represent a new highlevel record. We have produced such quantitics bcfore, and we should be able to do so again. (6) Growing 20.000 to 30.000 acres of feed barley in the North Island. This will be used primarily for pig feed, and will avoid the importation of considerable quantities of feed barley from Australia. A minimum price of 3s Gd per bushel on trucks at farmer's station, sacks in, has been guaranteed for Capc barley. and where malting barley is grovvn higher prices will rule. (7) Raising our maize acreage from 7600 to 11,000 acres. Maize is an important item of stock. and poultry food, and considerable quantities have to be imported from overseas each year to meet our requirements. By increasing the Dominion's maize acreage, farmers, particularly in the Bay of Plenty and Povcrty Bay districts, can give an excellent lead in increasing production to producers elsewhere. From the enthusiastic manner in which tnth Maori and pakeha farmers are making arrangements to increase their areas, it would appear that the objective of 11,000 acres will be readily attained. (8) Maintenance of output of mutton and lamb. There are indications that the maintenance of output of mutton and lamb during 1940-41 will be diflficult unless the season proves particularly favourable. Killings of mature sheep were heavy during the past season and, if repeated, would nffect the stock organisation of sheeo farmers to the possible disadvant--age of output during succeeding years. Our objective in this connection should he thc highest possible standard of stock and feed management and the preservation of our potential capacity to produce increasing quantities of high-grade meat. (9) Increasing the output of wool again is of great importance. Over a period wool production can be increased by intelligent selection and culling, and more rapidly by using improved rams. In the immediate present higher lambing percentages will lead to more sheep being shorn and more wool production. While it inevitably fluctuates with seasonal conditions, wool pro duction can nevertheless be increased bj all-round better feeding of our sheep, particularly in winter, when supplementary forage crops can do much to sustain it. Furthermore, the wool will in most cases be greatly improved by the elimination of tender, broken and cotted fleeces. Also, more attention might be

paid to the saving of ' d^ad-wool" an! avoiding any waste at shearing tim«^ however small. (10) Maintenance of beef production. As in the case of mutton and lamb, out output of beef during 1939-40 has cotw stituted a record, and unless consider* able care is exercised in stock manage* ment and maintenance our resources fof potential rapid advancement will be depleted. Although the chilled beef marked is now closed, we must envisage its renewal after hostilities have ceased, and therefore the highest possible degree oi

efficiency must be maintained in the management of our beef stock. (11) Egg production. Eggs and egg products are of considerable importance when the staple diet of 3 community is restricted. Export of eggs in shell .is . difficult under conditions where shipping might be delayed., and it is apparent that export in the form of pulp offers many advantages in collection ' and preservation and transport. We must see to it that supplies «are available so that the requirements of the United Kingdom, whatever they may he, can ba met as far as is practicable within out production programme. (12) The growing of 300,000 acres of wheat for our own consumption. This will conserve Australian funds, and is an objective which should be easily attained provided farmers makd the necessary effort to break up more land, which requires resowing ultimately in good pasture. Our average wheat acreage is in tlie vicinity. of 240,000 acres, so that a leeway of approximately 60.000 acres has to be made up to attain this desirable end. - (13) The growing and processing of H.OpO acres of linen flax. This has been specifically requested: by the British authorities, who find themselves in difficulties in so far ai linen flax supplies are concerned: 1 The New Zealand Government has undertaken to grow and process 14,000 acres, and already farmers have been asked t® sign contracts for growing this crop. At neiV and remunerative industry will thu* - be established, and there appears to be no doubt that the acreage asked for will be sown. - (14) Increasing to the utmost the growing of grass and clover seeds in addition to being self-supporting ir»; other small seeds, such as rape, turnips, ^mangolds, etc. Quite apart from being necessary, this should prove a lucrative undertaking for farmers. Not only will these seeds be required for our own use, but Britain herself is likely to be short of supplies.

In future we will have to depend upo» our own resources for forage crop seeds. which previously have been imported* and steps are being taken to ensure supplies of such seeds. Every farmer in New: Zealand should make a point this year of saving more grass and clover seed, and. by o doing he will materially apist th«' Dominion in her effort of increasing production. • If each of the 80,000 farmers in the Dominion contributes to increasing pro«( duction although individual efforts may. appear slight the aggregate effort is certain to result in a much increased output. If that is achieved and continued for the duration of the war, the Domin-i ion farming community will be able t» claim with justification that it has done its share towards defeating the enemy. t In Taranaki the "point" of primary importance is the production of more cheese without diminishing unduly ex-| ports of butter, and without any sacrifice in the quality of efther commodity. To attain this goal means the elimination of all waste on the farm and in the factory. Waste such as unnecessarily heavy depreciation among milking herds due to mismanagement or lack of care must be avoided. In the factory where improved methods can reduce spoilage they must be used in order that the output can be increased and the costs of manufacture kept down. Elsewhere in this issue will be found the results achieved by scientists and experts who are assisting in the efforts to avoid wastage and keep up production.