YOUNG FARMERS’ DEBATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1939, Page 7

YOUNG FARMERS’ DEBATE

MASTERTON AND FEATHERSTON CLUBS. MANAGERIAL STERILITY. (“Times-Age” .Special.I

"That a dairy farm takes more managerial ability than a sheep farm" was the subject debated by Masterton and FeatherYoung Farmers' Clubs ißSat Featherston last night, terton first and Featherston second. Mr G. Blatchford, leader of the Masterton team, advanced reasons why a sheep farm required more managerial ability than a dairy farm. Replying on behalf of the Featherston team, Mr Benton (leader) considered that the sheep farmer had much more time available for the cultivation of land whereas it was difficult for the dairy farmer to get his routine work done and his crops sown on time as well.

Mr D. McGregor, the next speaker for Masterton, gave an instance in which an inexperienced man, having no knowledge of dairy cows, had taken over the management of a farm where 80 cows were milked. He had been there some years and appeared to be making a very good job of his work. Mr McGregor dared any sheep farmer to allow an inexperienced man to take over a sheep farm. All seasonal work on a sheep farm had to be done at the right time. Mr Pearce, for Featherston, said individual'records of each cow were necessary whereas a sheep farmer did not need to keep such records. The dairy farmer must have a complete knowledge of stock diseases as the loss of a cow was much greater than that of a sheep. The next speaker for Masterton, Mr J. S. McKay, said pasture management ■was the most serious problem that.a sheep farmer had to face. He had to see that he had adequate feed to winter his stock whereas the dairy farmer usually sent his cows to winter on another farm, usually one that ran sheep. In spring, with the flush of feed, the sheep farmer had to buy cattle to keep the pasture down and managerial ability was necessary to buy and sell at a profit. Mr McKay cited a case in which a sheep farmer.', by good management, was able to avoid facial eczema among his stock, whereas his neighbours’ stock had suffered. The sheep farmer also had to contend with fluctuating prices while the dairy farmer knew almost to a Is how much he would receive.

In making the awards, the judge said the address by Mr McKay was outstanding.

Supper was served and on behalf of the visitors, Mr Blatchford ; expressed thanks for the hospitality extended to them.