COWS & PIGS CULTIVATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1940, Page 11

COWS & PIGS

CULTIVATION

AGRICULTURAL TREND IN WAIRARAPA I FACTORS INFLUENCING POSITION. GROWING OF ROOT & OTHER CROPS. (By R. E. Gordon I,co, Masterton.) The national cry today is “IncreaseProduction” and from an agricultural viewpoint, that means more use of the plough. In this report I have endeavoured to examine that requirement from every angle so that this commit-., tee may decide how increased production can best be accomplished so far as this district is concerned. At the outset I am bound to direct attention to the restrictions that have been placed on farmers as employers of labour, as a result of Government legislation in recent years. Farmers have been seriously handicapped in the economic and efficient working of their land ns a result of this legislation, workers being encouraged to show a preference for working condition? which do not exceed forty hours per week. This has resulted in a large majoritj' of workers seeking employment on Public Works or other occupations in cities and towns and suitable labour for the farmer, particularly the agricultural farmer, has not been available.

The first question we must give consideration to is by more use of the plough where will our increase of producation come from? In certain localities the growing of cereal crops could be increased, in other parts root crops could be increased so that more stock could be fattened for export. So far as cereal growing is concerned there are some vital factors which must be considered. Firstly, owing to the satisfactory prices ruling for meat and wool, the farmer is not encouraged to increase his cereal growing, the attitude adopted being, why should long and arduous hours be worked while the other man enjoyed a forty hour week, and had no responsibility? The point I desire to make is, if the Government is serious in its cry for

r “Increased Production” why should it - call on the farmer alone? Everybody - should be doing their bit and I am - afraid that until that fault is rectified, - the farmers will not answer the call - to its maximum. t LABOUR ON FARMS ' Another factor is labour. On look- ' ing around the agricultural farms,, in fact sheep and dairy farms as well, ’ whom do we see performing the work today, middle aged and old farmers ’ with their sons, the experienced farm worker being the minority. Where is I the learner, where is the young man t who is interested in farming? He is rarely seen today owing to the policy [ of the Government encouraging men ( away from the farms. It should be the duty of the Government to educate and , encourage young men back on to the ’ land even if it means a subsidy. This . labour position will be accentuated as the war continues, because the sons of , farmers on the land are just as willing . to serve their country on active service overseas as men following other occupations. With the prospect of farm labour becoming more acute it will take the [ agricultural farmer all his time to ; maintain production, let alone increase it. Also the cropping farmer is mostly , dependent on suitable casual labour .to ; harvest his crops and this labour h’as . been conspicuous by its absence in the last few years. Should prices for meat, wool and - dairy produce be in the vicinity of cereals the tendency will be for less production, as farmers will be saved the worry of extra labour at harvest periods. Combined with this, under the improvements made in pasture seeds by the introduction of certified seeds, land is not being ploughed as frequently as in previous years. As ground that was regarded as not able to hold grass is now able to hold a good sole of grass for a longer time no farmer will plough a good pasture unless forced to do so. CEREALS BEFORE SOWING In regard to the growing of root crops such as rape, chou moellier, turnips, etc., there has always been a fair amount of land used for this purpose and one can foresee a definite increase in this acreage, providing labour and materials are available when farmers realise they can carry more stock, do them better and so increase production. Therefore, every effort should be made to encourage farmers to take a cereal crop off such land before sowing down again in permanent pasture. There is one more phase so far as the agricultural farmer is concerned and that is in the growing of grass and clover seeds. During the past few seasons these crops have been quite profitable. The big advantage in these crops is that paddocks are only closed for a short period. The paddocks are grassed in (lie usual way until the time for closing, then after harvesting the grazing continues. Of course this harvesting of the seed means the use of the plough but still it is another way in which tho far.mer can augment, his income and production. In the harvesting of these small seeds the one big advantage is the season, and when paddocks are closed for this purpose the result is dependent upon the seasonal conditions prevailing. In planning for increased production from an agricultural viewpoint, who can best do the job? Firstly, the Department of Agriculture, who should be more active among farmers encouraging the growth of necessary crops. Secondly, the farmer who. I have no doubt will rise to the occasion providing he can see a reasonable margin of profit and that he is not subject to undue Government interference. SUITABILITY OF CROPS Then we-have the seed merchant, who is constantly in touch with both , sides of the business, the wholesale and . retail, who is also in touch with his clients and can give some very sounci advice, gained mainly from experi- , ments by farmers, as to what crops , suit one class of land and what does , well on others, also these firms can , finance necessary crops. Finally, there , is the Government seed testing station, j whose main duty it is to see that seeds etc., are graded according to germina- , tion and purity so that the farmer is paid according to quality. Summed up one cannot see a large increase in the acreage of cereal crops i due to the factors already mentioned. There is more likely to be an increase ; in root crops. As stated at the commencement of <

this report I have endeavoured to consider the position from all sides. In this country we cannot, afford to sit back and take matters easy when other parts of the Empire are actively engaged in increasing production. It is the duty of the Government to assist the farmer notwithstanding that it may be against its declared policy of shorter hours and higher wages, because the wealth of this country is dependent on the land and it is of paramount importance that the land should be worked to the utmost of its capacity, particularly in times of war without restriction. Let us increase production either in the agricultural field.. sheep or dairy farm. This year we are celebrating our Centenary and on looking back over the years we have made wonderful progress. What of the next 100 years? Time will tell. In the meantime let our slogan be "Produce and Progress."