Farming in Hurunui and Clutha counties : current attitudes and practices compared to survey results in 1986

Abstract

This report presents results from a mail survey of 238 farms in Hurunui and Clutha Counties in 1992, and compares them with a similar survey in 1986. The typically sheep/beef farmers said that their financial position had improved. There were 85 per cent in a financial surplus situation in 1992 compared with 64 per cent in 1986. On-farm investment had increased in popularity and one quarter of farmers had increased their expenditure. Farm workers of all types had increased in number, with the largest gain occurring in the number of paid workers. Men and women in equal numbers worked off farm, accounting for 22 per cent of the surveyed farm workforce. For full-time farmers there were 13 per cent working off farm. In 1992 more farmers than in 1986 were satisfied with their management system, and about half of the respondents had already developed new land uses or management systems, compared to one quarter in 1986. Pasture development, subdivision and trees were important new land uses. In 1992 there were four clusters of management strategies adopted and four clusters of approaches to farming. Factor analyses of statements about farming showed some consistent results over time.