asked the Taoiseach if the average figures in the National Farm Survey for the three-year period indicate in respect of the over 100-acre farms whether the farms in the lower income group have a larger average acreage and employ less hired labour than farms in the upper and middle income groups; and, if so, if he will state in tabulated form (a) the average acreage per farm in each income group and (b) the average duration of employment for hired labour in weeks.
Written Answers. - Farm Acreages and Employment.
29.
The following statements set out the particulars concerning the acreage of and the hired labour used in the farms of over 100 acres which were included throughout the three years of the National Farm Survey.
The first statement which is derived from Table 4 of the publication relates to farms in the 100-200 acre size group, classified by pattern of farming and by income group within pattern of farming. There were not sufficient farms in the over 200 acre size group to permit of a similar analysis for this group.
The second statement, which is derived from Table 5 of the publication, relates to farms in the 100-200 acre size group and in the over 200 acre size group, classified by region and by income group. There were not sufficient farms in the North and West Region to permit of a similar analysis for this Region.
Particulars for acreage owned and acreage farmed have been given in each case. The average acreage for the Survey farms grouped in the lower income group is, in a number of instances a little higher than for the farms in the other income groups but this is not true in all cases. The acreage for the farms in the lower income group in the East and Midland Region in the over 200 acre size group, is substantially higher than for the farms in the other income groups. This is due to the fact that the labour and family income per acre, which is the income criterion used, tends to decline with increasing size of farm. Consequently when all farms over 200 acres are grouped together, there is a tendency for the larger farms in this size group to be classed in the lower income group on the basis adopted.
The average duration of employment for hired labour in the Survey farms grouped in the lower income group is below that for the farms in the upper income group in the different classifications shown. In most instances, but not all, it is below the average for the farms in the middle income group.
NATIONAL FARM SURVEY, 1955-56—1957-58
A. Farms in 100-200 acre size group classified by pattern of farming
|
Item |
Dairying Mixed without cash crops |
Dairying Mixed with cash crops |
Crops Mixed |
Cattle Mixed |
||||||||
|
Income Group |
||||||||||||
|
Lower |
Middle |
Upper |
Lower |
Middle |
Upper |
Lower |
Middle |
Upper |
Lower |
Middle |
Upper |
|
|
Area owned (acres) |
137.5 |
130.8 |
130.2 |
156.2 |
144.9 |
125.9 |
145.5 |
155.3 |
134.2 |
158.1 |
138.2 |
144.1 |
|
Area farmed (adj.) (acres) |
106.7 |
96.5 |
103.2 |
138.8 |
137.8 |
111.7 |
118.5 |
140.9 |
120.3 |
122.4 |
126.8 |
141.2 |
|
Hired labour (man weeks) |
26.0 |
41.1 |
52.5 |
42.1 |
67.1 |
79.6 |
51.0 |
59.8 |
110.2 |
22.9 |
18.2 |
47.3 |
B. Farms over 100 acres classified by size and region
|
Item |
100-200 acres |
Over 200 acres |
||||||||||
|
East and Midland Region |
South Region |
East and Midland Region |
South Region |
|||||||||
|
Income Group |
||||||||||||
|
Lower |
Middle |
Upper |
Lower |
Middle |
Upper |
Lower |
Middle |
Upper |
Lower |
Middle |
Upper |
|
|
Area owned (acres) |
147.8 |
146.6 |
132.6 |
142.5 |
146.5 |
131.7 |
399.5 |
257.7 |
271.3 |
270.9 |
242.7 |
239.2 |
|
Area farmed (adj.) acres) |
127.7 |
133.2 |
124.1 |
124.1 |
123.5 |
112.2 |
321.2 |
229.5 |
240.8 |
206.3 |
197.3 |
211.5 |
|
Hired labour (man weeks) |
32.3 |
54.1 |
85.8 |
23.4 |
54.1 |
80.1 |
174.7 |
127.9 |
207.5 |
62.9 |
63.4 |
118.6 |