PRODUCTION PLANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 May 1941, Page 4

PRODUCTION PLANS

OUTLINED BY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE FARMING AIMS FOR COMING SEASON. READJUSTMENT NEEDED. ißy Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Binns for New Zealand’s agricultural production in file 1941-42 season were announced last evening by the Minister of Agriculture. Mr Barclay. lie said I lie production plan drawn up for lasi season was definitely based on increased output of all products. The,aim during Ihe coming season was not increased production but ra--1 her a readjustment of product inn. The energies of the farming community should be directed principally toward the production of goods for which Britain had made special requests, or which were required to satisfy internal demands. The general and specific objectives that should be aimed at for the new production season were outlined in detail by the Minister. SHIPPING & MARKETS.

“As the year 1941 has advanced." said Mr Barclay, "the Dominion's main primary industries have been faced with problems unprecedented in the history of this country. Our agricultural economy built upon the export of an expanding surplus of products to an open market, has been suddenly confronted during this year with the necessity for adjustment to a market drastically limited by the availability of suitable shipping. * "For many weeks it was impossible to make any reliable estimate of the position for next season, as fresh developments were arising almost daily. Farmers naturally were anxious for a lead from the Government in order to plan their next season’s production. Unfortunately, at that stage it would not have been possible to publish a production programme without the real danger of some new advice from the British Government rendering it obsolete almost as soon as issued. "With regard to production for the export market, the limiting factors are the quantities of various products which Britain will require from us next year and the quantities of each for which she will be able to provide shipping space. Insofar as many of these details are not yet fully known, it must be - understood that the programme of production outlined below is subject to alteration as a result of 'contingencies that may arise in the future, though at present unforeseen." The production plan for 1941-42, said Mr Barclay, could be conveniently presented under two headings: (a) general objectives; and (b) specific objectives. They were as follows: GENERAL OBJECTIVES. (1) A swing toward wool production rather than meat production wherever this is practicable. In this connection next season it may be advisable in many instances not to breed from ewes which verge on cull quality, but which, if run dry. will produce a good wool clip. (2) As far as fat lamb production is concerned the position is being closely watched and the farming community will be advised of any important developments as they arise. (3) A swing from sheep-farming to dairying is inadvisable as a general principle. Mr Barclay said it must be clearly understood that these general objectives were based simply on the information at present available and the most up-to-date estimate of future prospects. Farmers would be notified of any developments affecting the programme without unnecessary delay.

First Objective: To Grow What Great Britain Asks Of Us. For these commodities the aim is to I achieve the greatest production pos- . sible under the processing facilities and productive resources that can be made available. Cheese: The national objective is -- 160.000 tons, or 40,000 to 50,000 tons st more than the current season’s record e production. The Dairy Division of the e Department of Agriculture and the t, Dairy Board are charged with ensurI. ing that this objective is achieved by f, the change-over of many dairy-farm- /. ers from butter factory to cheese factory supply. i- Linen Flax: The aim is to grow at i- least 25,000 acres, an increase of neary ly 12,000 acres over this year’s splendid figure. ’s Wool: The British Government has undertaken to purchase New Zealand’s 1 wool clip for the duration of the war

d and one year thereafter, therefore fulls est possible production should be s aimed at. Peas: The position concerning peas s is uncertain in that while an export de--0 mand exists there is difficulty in arranging shipping. Farmers are re- _ commended to arrange firm contracts s with merchants before undertaking t the growing of peas. 0 Second Objective: To grow what we t can use in maintaining 1 New Zeag land’s standard of living. Wheat:. The national objective is j 300,000 acres, and because of the urgency of the matter area allocations 2 have already been made to the district “ councils concerned. t Oats: An acreage approximately r equal to the 1940-41 crop for threshing will suffice —about 61,000 acres for t threshing. Malting Barley: The aim is to increase the acreage in this crop com3 mensurate with malting requirements. ' Contracts with individual farmers will be arranged through maltsters along j customary lines. Maize: An area equal to the 1940-41 , crop of 13,000 acres will be sufficient, ’ to be grown essentially for poultry. Small seeds: As far as practicable, the aim is to produce sufficient seeds ’ of arable crops and vegetables to meet ‘ Dominion needs, together with a sur- ’ plus available for export or as a carryover in the case of seeds which do ! not rapidly decline in germination

’ capacity. ’ Special arrangements are being ’ made for Government-approved lines L of Brassica and other small seeds to be grown under contract. Particular ' pains will be taken to secure the re- ‘ quired areas of all these seeds. Pork and Bacon: A local market is assured for approximately 200,000 car- ■ cases of pork and 250,000 carcases of ■ bacon. In addition, there is a limited : export outlet for porkers. At present there seems little chance of exporting baconers, and as the local market absorbs less than half of the present output, the production of baconers should be curtailed. The pig-keeping policy should be based on home-produced feeds, namely, dairy by-products and crops grown on the farm specially for pig-feeding. Meals should be used for growing young pigs, and meat meal should be used with whey as in the past, but meals should not be used for fattening pigs or finishing them off. The object is to waste no feed and sacrifice no pigs. In these uncertain times it is difficult to give long-term advice, but as the position changes farmers will be kept advised. Third objective: To maintain the current potentialities of primary production. ) Supplementary fodder: The acreage of oats and barley for green feed, and of forage crops such as turnips, rape, etc., should be maintained at the same level as in 1940-41. A particular objective is the provision of reserves of feed to meet abnormal demands that are likely to arise because of the probable need to spread killings over a longer period. This points to the advisability not only of. giving all possible attention to arable feed crops but also of conserving in the form of hay or silage the maximum amount of available surplus grass growth. Grass and Clover Seeds: The aim is to produce sufficient grass and clover seed to make the Dominion self-sup-porting. and also to provide a carryover to be available to cater for the export trade. Particular attention should be given to certified seed in the case of perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, cocksfoot, red clover and white clover on account of certified seed being likely to meet with the greater demand. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. (a') Rabbit control should be improved, or at least deterioration of the position should be avoided, specially in high-country sheep-farming. Suitable rabbit control would have an early influence on wool production which forms a feature of our first specific objective. (b) Attention should be given to the raising of high-class young ewes and of quality stock generally—"marked” heifers and calves, so as eventually to strengthen our herds and flocks. / (c) The inroads of noxious weeds and of inferior invading plants generally should be checked.

Conservation of Fertiliser. The Minister said that as there would be a shortage of superphosphate next year, a rationing system would be ’ introduced, based on the following order of priorities:— (1) The maintenance of crop production —wheat, barley, maize, forage crops. (2) The establishment of new grass following crop. (3) Topdressing of established

grassland. “Before deciding to topdress any particular field.” said the Minister “the farmer should consider seriously whether that field could not be left unmanured for a season without suffering significant deterioration. No fertiliser should be wasted by applying it to areas of land that do not need it Except in special cases it would appear inadvisable for farmers to break in new land in view of the present position regarding markets and fertiliser supply. Farmers' Loans Emergency Regulations.

“Though the present trend is not toward increasing production generally," stated Mr Barclay, “finance will still be made available to farmers under th? Farmers’ Loan Emergency Regulations, but only for projects that are in line with the above national production programme. The change from butter to cheese supply is a case in noint. The finance committees of district councils will continue to co-oper-ate with ollicers of the State Advances Corporation in the administration of the regulations ”