FARM AND STATION

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20829, 12 April 1933, Page 8

FARM AND STATION

(BLEDISLOE MEDAL. PRESENTATION TO MR GEORGE RENNIE. •FUNCTION AT LINCOLN COLLEGE. The presentation of the Bledisloe Medal to the 1932 winner, Mr George Rennie, of Taupiri, Waikato, took place at a special ceremony at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, yesterday morning. This medal, accompanied by an endowment fund, was presented to the Board of Governors of the college in 1929 by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and is awarded annually to the ex-student (diploma or degree) who, in the opinion of the board, has, as a result of his training at the college, materially assisted farming in New Zealand. The chairman of the board, Dr. H. G. Denham, presided, and also present were other members of the board, the staff and students of the college, and former masters and students and their friends. Mr Rennie's Record. The chairman said that Mr Rennie was a student in residence at the college in 1886 and 1887. and was awarded the final certificate equivalent to the present diploma, in December, 1887. He worked on his father's farm at Doyleston from 1888 to 1892, was secretary of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastor- 1 Association from 1890 to 1892; was farming at Lincoln from 1892 to 1916; was Agricultural Instructor to the Canterbury Education Board, the first instructor, from 1906 to 1908; was a member of the Board of Governors, Canterbury College, from 1908 to 1916; was a member of Board of Governors, Canterbury Agricultural College, from 1914 to 1916; was a member of the Canterbury Education Board from 1910 to 1916* was a chairman of the Canterbury Education Board from 1914 to 1915; was secretary to the Lincoln School Committee for 20 years, and was secretary of the Lincoln Ploughing Match Association from purchased his P farm at Taupiri m 1916. It then consisted of 600 acres of downs and swamp partially cleared, and it was estimated that it would carry 50 cows and some dry stock. P roc |uc lion from 50 cows m the 191fa-iai/ dairying season was 80001b fat or 160-1701b a cow. Eight years ago an area of 100 acres was added to the farm, which carried last season 200 to 210 cows, 150 young stock, as well as horses and pigs in P ro " portion. In 1931-32 two hundred cows produced 64,0001b fat, or 3151b a cow (70 of these were first calvers). The carrying capacity is four times that of 15 years ago, the production a cow has been doubled, and the total production almost eight times that of 15 years ago. After his first year Mr Rennie tested all his own herd and .culled on production, thus demonstrating the value of herd-testing. He was the first farmer, in the district to adopt the practice and continues to act as his own herd tester. Farm Management. After one winter in which he tried to carry cows efficiently on roughage, Mr Rennie decided to apply his Canterbury practice of hay making. He was the pioneer for the district in making provision for winter feed. His good example extended not only in his own district, but over the province. Proper winter feeding, herd-testing, judicious top-dressing, and controlled grazing are the factors largely responsible for the increased production on this farm. Mr Rennie early recognised the necessity for top-dressing and liming, his annual outlay for phosphates alone running from 40 to 50 tons of superphosphate. The problem of providing suitable supplementary foods in early spring and late summer-early autumn, the two periods of shortage in the district, has been carefully studied and provision made to overcome the shortages. Another problem of dairy farmers, that of calf rearing, has been gone into by Mr Rennie, and he has demonstrated that our research at the college is bearing fruit, as ~.ie now rears excellent calves on skim milk and meat meal. Mr Rennie has convinced himself that the only means of obtaining a return from pigs is by breeding them on the farm. By adopting this practice he has obtained a gross return of over £2 a cow from the sale of pigs. . Generosity While at Lincoln. Mr W. A. Banks, a member of the Board of Governors of the col- « lege, who claimed to have known Mr George ftennie for a great many years, said that when Mr Rennie was farming in the Lincoln district he had been known for his generosity and for the assistance he gave willingly and voluntarily to small farmers. (Applause.) Mr Banks recalled that Mr Rennie once stood for Parliament unsuccessfully, contesting the Ellesmere seat as a Liberal against Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, against whom he put up a splendid fight. It was a good thing that he had not attained the goal he sought on that occasion. (Laughter.) Of Mr Rennie's work as the first agricultural instructor for the Canterbury Education Board Mr Banks spoke highly, and said that it was Mr Rennie who had

By " Straggler."

started ine scheme for well-kept school gardens. As a young man Mr Rennie was a fine sportsman and a prominent footballer. Great praise was due to his wife for the assistance she had given him. (Applause.) The director of the college, Professor R. E. Alexander, who visited the farm at Taupiri not long ago, also paid a tribute to Mr Rennie's work. Professor Alexander said that it was an opportunity, too, to acknowledge the happy thought of the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, which had prompted him to give a medal which would be used to honour former students of Lincoln College. It would result in great interest among former students, and would make a competition of Dominion*-wide benefit. Professor Alexander added that his remarks to Mr Rennie were on behalf of the staff and students of the college at present, on behalf of former members of the staff, and on behalf of former students, all of whom applauded the award and wished its winner- for 1932 all good luck. "There is one record which has not been mentioned held by Mr Rennie," the director said. "That is that he represented the college at football for six or seven years—a longer term than any other student or former student." Comment on the Farm. Referring to Mr Rennie's pioneering work at Taupiri and to the state of the farm at present, Professor Alexander said that it appeared to be a good thing that Mr Rennie's attempt to enter politics had been unsuccessful, as his work as a practical farmer had been of greater advantage to New Zealand than his work as a politician could have been. In the Waikato Mr Rennie was held in respect for the fine example he had set other farmers. One prominent settler when told where the speaker was going had said: "You are going to see the best farmer and the best-man-aged farm in the Waikato." (Applause). Great determination and perseverance had been shown in the development work, and as two instances alone prov&d, the introduction of winter feeding and herdtesting,' Mr Rennie had shown wisdom, foresight, and thought. At Lincoln College Mr Rennie had absorbed the training which provided

food for thought, and later he 1 had applied the results' of his thsught. There was good advice for students to be found in Mr Rennie's work. It should be remembered, as Mr Rennie remembered, that when starting in a new block of country care should be taken to avoid biting off more than could be handled at a time. The best land was the land to be tackled first, and failure to remember that fact was the cause of a lot of troubles to, -day. Too often the best land on a property was left to look after itself. The comfort of the stock, the lay-out of the paddocks and farm generally, the efficient and most necessary roadways, the shelter belts were all features on Mr Rennie's farm which could well be copied. The whole scheme exemplified thoroughness and vision, and the pastures were permanent and made up of an excellent mixture. The easiest barometer upon which the working of a property could be judged was the condition of the stock, and in that respect also Mr Rennie's farm was a model one. Professor Alexander paid a tribute to Mrs Rennie ana her two sons, and advised any students of the college to take any opportunity available to inspect the property at Taupiri. The presentation was made by Mr H. A. Knight, a member of the Boara of Governors of the college its first diploma student, and the winner of the Bledisloe Medal in 1930—the first year of its award. Mr Knight said that he also was glad Mr Rennie had avoided being a politician. (Laughter). However it was to be hoped that at some future time the Prime Minister of New Zealand would be a former student of the college. He added

that he was sure Mr Rennie felt, as he himself had felt when the award had been made to him in 1930, that success had been attained by attention to the instruction received at Lincoln College. The glory of winning the medal was not reflected, and in that lay an additional pleasure in its award. Mr Rennie had earned it by work 'off his own bat,' and it was fitting that the award should be one of the direct representative of the King. (Applause). Progress of 15 Years. In reply Mr Rennie said that he was deeply grateful for the honour of the award, and had also greatly appreciated the personal touch given to it by a letter received from the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. Speaking of his work at Taupiri Mr Rennie said that it was carried out with the idea of winning a home for himself and family, and they felt great pride in the achievement. The principles of herd-test-ing he had learned at the college from Mr Gray, and had put them into practice later. The figures for his herd were typical of most in the district. Farmers realised the value of good stock and would not buy pedigi'ee stock unless it came from a tested herd or had satisfactory milk records. Although prices were low it was possible by improving the quality of stock and increasing production to battle on. The principle of proper feeding was important, and he had always fed his stock from the time it was in the calf stage until it left the property as culls. Herd-testing was very important, as was also manuring. All the methods he had put into operation were adaptations of his ' teaching at the college. The cutlivation of crops had been taught him by Mr Ivy. As in all branches of farming method had to be studied closely. Just as ensilage feeding and rotational grazing could be carried to extremes so they could be made to show big earning powers. "The progress of the district has been remarkable," he concluded. "When I went to the district first only two cream cans passed my gate. Now there are seven lorries working the metalled road past the gate, and there arc two factories 1 where there was none formerly. I owe a debt, of course, to Mr R. W.

Lochhead and my brothers for 1 their advice, and I would not forget that now." (Applause). Cheers were given for Mr Rennie. In 1930 the medal was awarded to Mr H. A. Knight, and in 1931 to Mr J. N. Ran stead, of Matangi. LINCOLN COLLEGE. BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETS. The Board of Governors of Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, met yesterday at the college. Dr. H. G. Denham presided, and also present were Messrs C. H. Hewlett, N. M. Orb ell, W. A. Banks, H. A. Knight, W. O. Rennie, E. J. Howard, M.P., H. S. S. Kyle, M.P.. the Hon. D. Buddo, and the director (Professor R. E. Alexander). The Farm Report. The far report stated:—"The month has been exceedingly dry. Feed is scarce and it has been necessary to resort to hand feeding stock. Hay is being fed to dairy cows, and pea straw has been sprayed with molasses and baled for sheep feed at Ashley Dene. "Three fields sown in Algerian oats for green feed have not yet struck and rain will be necessary before any growth takes place. Two fields sown in Italian ryegrass and one field sown in perennial and red clover are in the same state, although owing to a longer fallow in the case of two of the fields odd seeds have struck in the more sheltered and moister patches. Two fields have been sown in oats and vetches for hay. Two fields have been skim-ploughed out of grass, dry conditions making the work hard for the horses and on the shares. One field has been skim-ploughed out of stubble, and three fields have been deep-ploughed. About 1450 bushels of grass seed and 100 bushels of Garton oats and 100 bushels of vetches have been put through the seed cleaner. About 1000 bushels of Tuscan wheat have been cleaned and pickled for seed." A motion was passed congratulating H. P. Donald, an ex-student and now a member of the college staff, on his being awarded the Macmillan Brown research scholarship in agriculture. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. For Children's Hacking Cough. —1

DAIRYING IN AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTION DECLINES. MAY SOLVE QUOTA PROBLEM. Natural conditions may solve lor Australia the problems arising from the proposed restriction of exports of butter, states the Melbourne "Argus." Throughout the Commonwealth dairying districts are experiencing abnormally dry conditions, and in every State the production of dairy produce is declining. In Victoria the seasonal decrease has been accelerated by dry weather. Arrivals of butter from country factories throughout the State lor the week ended March 25 amounted to 25,087 boxes, or 1429 boxes fewer than the previous week. About this time last year, owing to early autumn rains, production was increasing slightly, and for the corresponding week the arrivals were 30,620 boxes. For the same week in* 1931 27,016 boxes of butter were consigned to Melbourne. Hot winds nave withered the pastures, and there being a partial failure of green feed crops, such as maize, millet, and oats, dairy farmers are unable to supplement the feeding of meadow hay and ensilage with the necessary green feed. Other artificial forms of handfeeding are too expensive owing to the low price of butter-fat, and farmers are content to allow their herds to go out of production. Production is falling in all districts in Victoria. Fall is General. Production is also falling in other States. In Queensland pastures are drying. Cold weather throughout New South Wales will probably hasten the decline in production there. The weather has been cold also in South Australia, .where production is declining. An exportable surplus of the lower grades is still available, but large quantities of choicest quality are being imported from Victoria. The output of butter factories in Western Australia has been stationary at a low level. Light rains have accompanied cool conditions. Weather conditions have been unfavourable to dairying in Tasmania, where the seasonal decline in production continues. AFRICAN FROZEN MEAT. SHIPMENTS SUCCESSFUL. Still further increases in competition on the Smithfield Market in the next few years is clearly indicated by the following extract from the "British Live Stock Journal": "A trial consignment of chilled beef sent from Southern Rhodesia to London has been voted a complete success. "Such is the opinion of those most competent to express an opinion at Smithfield, and is borne out by the prices paid on a purely commercial basis, not on sentiment. If these figures leave adequate reward for the farmer then the trade may become permanent, if not then Rhodesia must seek other markets. I "Mr Harold Jones, of the firm of Weddel, and Mr Keen, of the Stock Breeders' Meat Company, have stated that the quality was quite good enough to command a ready sale on Smithfield Market at any time; the size, weight, and condition were entirely satisfacI tory. The transport, both on rail from Bulawayo and by sea from Cape Town, was faultless. At first deliveries may be small and irregular, but within three years a very different story should be told. "Enquiries as to recent parcels of South African lamb elicited favourable remarks and advice to use the Southdown rHm with merino ewes and to rear the lambs only on the best pastures as rapidly as possible. To try to produce crossbred lamb for the English market on poor or even light pasturage where the dams have to walk far for their dailjr feed is described as attempting the impossible. Moreover the merino ewes so used must be selected for width of frame, round barrel, and general blockiness of build the long-legged, flat-sided, lanky kind being most unsuitable."

A SCRUB RAM ACT ? Great interest has been taken in the action of the Corriedale Sheep Society at this year's Christchurch ram fair in inspecting rams offered for sale. It i S ;^ g^rdec l- by most as a ste P in the right direction, and has caused manv to discuss the possibility of extending the scheme m many other directions. The following extract is an English opinion which shows that flock-mas-ters in Great Britain are realising the need for some tightening up of quality tests' if best character and constitution are to be maintained in flocks:— Should we not have a Scrub nam Act?" asks a prominent critic f VL, an . English agricultural journal. The idea is passing through Scottish, English, and Welsh flock-masters, and those who advise the farmers of the three countries in stock improvement. To anyone living in a sheep-raising district it is quite tragic to encounter commercial sheep farmers trying to produce suitable animals for the market from rams that seem to get narrower in the back every year. No man ever produced first-class mutton from rams of this type, for their offspring usually mature slowly from lack of constitution, and are bad doers. We are at a loss to understand the reason for the increasing percentage of such rams as these:, and, in view of the high-quality males seen at most of the summer shows last year, we do not see why there should appear to be such a shortage of good rams for the use of the commercial producer." CORRECTING HUMUS DEFICIENCY IN SOILS BY TOP-DRESSING PASTURES. While the proper correction of humus deficiency in the soil calls for the ploughing-in of green manure, preferably lupins, the lack of humus is corrected to a degree by regular top-dressing with "Super," which increases the root growth of grasses and clovers; the roots die annually and are converted into humus. The increased 1 quantity of stock carried as a result of top-dressing also assures more I stock manure being automatically trampled into the land. The amount of the humus con- | tent of soil is very important, as it directly affects the value of the rainfall. Canterbury soils are deficient in humus, with the result that the annual rainfall is only worth about half what it would be with soil of an adequate humus content. It is estimated that in the case of a six-months' drought, a deficiency of soil humus has the effect of making four months ' of this period very acute ; whereas a sufficiency of humus in the soil would cut down the acute period to five or six weeks. The best period of the year for j top-dressing is now at hand—the biggest returns being obtained when Superphosphate is applied immediately after the first autumn rains. The results are further enI hanced when pastures are grassharrowed at least twice a year.—2

FEEDING GRAIN TO EWES. OREGON SUCCESS. Despite current conditions, the practice of feeding grain to breeding ewes is becoming standard among range men of eastern Oregon, reports an" exchange. Better methods of feeding grain have convinced them that the practice is profitable. Experience has shown that ewes must be built up, if at all, at least three months before lambing, and must be started on very small amounts of grain. Amounts of one-eighth to one-sixth of a pound a head every day for 90 days give much better results than feeding more for a shorter time. BRITISH WOOL PRODUCTION. According to economic theory, low and unremunerative prices for primary commodities lead to diminished production, and this would appear to be sound reasoning, but it has signally failed to hold good in the case of the wool produce from British sheep which, after a rise in 1931, again showed a substantial increase last year. In conformity with all other wool prices, those of British wools were extremely low and unprofitable in 1931, and last year they receded further and touched the lowest point on record. The effects of unprofitable returns in 1931 might have been expected to make themselves felt in the form of a decline in wool production last year, but as a matter of fact the quantity of wool derived from British flocks, amounting to 128,557,4181b, compared with 121,907,838 lb in 1931. A very low level of production was registered in 1923, when the volume of British wool was only 101,964,8301b. Since then there has been an almost uninterrupted annual increase, and compared with the low point mentioned, the domestic production shows an advance of no less than 26,592,0001b. The rise in the production last year was due to an increase in the sheep population of no fewer than 1,631,000 in the year 1931, the total then having been 29,815,558. Since then there has been a further rise, British sheep at the last census having numbered 30,664,619, or an increase of 1,849,061, so that a further expansion of the wool clip may be expected this year.

SELLING CHEESE. The 1938 advertising expenditure of the Kraft-Phenix Cheese Corporation will be the largest in its history by a substantial amount. This increase in appropriation is based upon two considerations. One is an optimistic opinion of the year's possibilities, coupled with the belief, that, 1933 is the psychological time to do a strong, constructive merchandising job. The other, and possibly more important factor, is new products. Two new developments in. cheese and mayonnaise will be introduced this year. Each of them, the company feels, is destined to be of far-reaching importance. The advertising built around these new ideas, according to John H. Piatt, advertising manager, will make its appearance in double spreads in the February issues of several "magazines, and in a long list of newspapers.—"Printers' Ink." HERD-TESTING. MARLBOROUGH FIGURES. The following are the herd-testing averages for March for the Marlborough Herd-Testing. Association: — Group Average. Group Cows, lb milk. Test, lb fat. Pelorus .. 772 634 4.6 29.18 Wairau .. 502 554 4.5 25.37 Kaikoura .. 453 516 4.6 24.02 Highest Lowest herd. herd. Highest average, average, cow. Cows. lb. fat. lb. fat. lb.fat. Pelorus .. 9 39.11 21.57 63 Wairau .. 13 42.69 16.42 61 Kaikoura 49 30.95 15.73 53