FARM AND STATION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22111, 5 June 1937, Page 11

FARM AND STATION

by stragglefr

ADDINGTON MARKET

DEMAND FOR WETHERS EXCESS OF CATTLE There is no improvement in the supply of prime wethers. On Wednesday they were fewer than ever, and as a result prices again improved for ewes as well as wethers. With the light wethers quite unattractive to the local trade and light ewes more keenly wanted by the export buyers, butchers had very little suitable meat in the small yarding, and it would seem that consignments of weighty wethers coming forward for the next few sales will be assured of a sound market. Next week’s sale will be held on Tuesday, on account of the King’s Birthday holiday, which well extend the requirements of the following week, and fatteners should see that the market is sufficiently provided. Pen after pen of wethers on Wednesday ranged round about the 32/- mark. The export trade is having a fairly bare time as far as lambs are concerned, and as quantity is a consideration of importance with them there was more buying of medium and light ewes, which sold at up to 23/- for the works. The following is a comparison of the prices on Wednesday with those at the corresponding sale last year:—

Fat Lambs Less than a thousand fat lambs came forward, and many of these were stores. The local trade is little interested in lambs at this period, but the scramble by exporters for the few forward kept values at the top of the schedule level. As far as the supply of lambs is concerned it would appear that the freezing season will not extend as long as usual. Store Sheep The small circle of buyers round the store pens on Wednesday did not take much interest in the sale. The recovery in wether lambs the previous week was lost, and this class was at the cheapest price of the season. A few small pens of ewe lambs found buyers, but a big proportion of the wether lambs was passed. The few pens of indifferent adult ewes did not attract buyers, and these also eased. Good framed forward wethers were in demand, and some station lines that would require a good deal of feed sold at from 25s to 265. They were well woolled, however, and there should be a good “come-back” off the skin. Fat Cattle Too many fat cattle are coming forward, and there was a rather pronounced easing on Wednesday. For the small proportion of prime young steers there was only a minor change, but for plain station sorts, unfinished steers, and the great mass of cows, the market was round about 20s a head down. Cows of all ages, condition, and type continue to crowd the pens, and a more rigid culling out of these would be helpful to the legitimate fattener. The store market has naturally weakened with the advance of the winter, adding to the temptation to place these old cows in the fat section.

The members of the Young Farmers' Club of the Oxford district'recently decided to compile a brand and earmarks record of the district. They had heard their fathers talk about it. and, apparently becoming concerned that action would not get much further, resolved to do the job themselves. A register of 210 flocks has been made up, with separate columns for the name of the flock-owner, the earmark, brand, sex, and colour.

IMPROVEMENT OF STOCK

* COLLEGE BULLETIN DISAPPOINTING RESULTS FROM CURRENT PRACTICES About- 200 years ago very rapid improvement was effected in several breeds of farm livestock, and the improved types which resulted from the work of such renowned breeders as Bake well and his associates were markedly superior to those from which they were derived. Since that time further improvement has been effected, but during the past century the results have been disappointing. It has been customary to follow the practice of mating our best to best in the hope of obtaining offspring which were as good as or better than the parents. It has now been realised that the results obtained from this method have not been up to expectations, and breeders and breed societies throughout the world are beginning to examine critically the principle on which this breeding is based. There is a slow recognition of the fact that more rapid and more certain methods of obtaining livestock of the required standard of excellence should be and can be evolved. It has been demonstrated beyond doubt that the mating of best to best is by no means a reliable method of securing high quality offspring. In connexion with most breeds of farm animals attention is now being directed to the possibilities offered by progeny testing, which provides a direct method of measuring the capacity of the parents to transmit good qualities to their offspring. It is in connexion with those classes of stock in which the characteristics sought after find expression only in the female that progeny testing is of particular value. The true value of the bull of a milking breed is his capacity to transmit high butterfat production to his daughters. The bull himself offers no means by which his dormant capacities in this direction might be measured. Similar conditions prevail with many other breeds of farm animals. In the past undue stress has been laid on show points and on alleged utility points which were supposed to be associated with productive capacity. Critical examination has shown that many such points are unreliable as indications of transmitting ability. For instance, not only show ring judging but also butterfat recording has proved ineffective in bringing about a satisfactorily high standard of production from dairy cows. In pigs, the shortcomings of eye estimation of desirable types is now recognised, and litter recording systems are in operation so that the productivity of sows, and the capacity for effective utilisation of food by the litter can be determined. Such examples as these illustrate the general appreciation of the fact that relative failure has resulted from methods which have been current in the past. Use of Proved Sires Since one sire is usually mated toa large number of females, the most rapid improvement in production standards can be brought about by the use of proved sires—animals which have demonstrated their capacity to transmit high production. With most classes of stock it is impossible to isolate high quality sires by an examination of the animals themselves. The progeny test offers the only certain way of doing so. By this test a sire is classed according to the producing ability of his offspring, whether measured as dairy production, egg production, fleece quality, conformation, rate of growth, or as any other form of animal production. When sires have been proved in this manner, their worth may then be compared by giving each animal a sire index. This index is compiled from the performances of the sire’s progeny, and expresses in a simple form the average ability of the sire to transmit high production. The following discussion deals with dairy cattle, but it is well to remember that the principles involved are the same as those employed in the progeny testing of all types of farm animals. , ... A dairy sire does not possess a muK or butterfat record of his own, and the records of dam ond grand* dams are not a sufficient guide to his worth. However, his capacity to transmit high dairy production is reflected in his daughters’ records, and it is from these that the index of a bull is obtained. There are several ways of computing a sire’s index from his daughters’ records, and perhaps the best index so far evolved for commercial dairying is the Mount Hope Index. This was first employed successfully in United States of America, and is derived from a comparison of the mature records of all a bull’s tested daughters with the equivalent records of all their dams. The daughters are placed halfway between the parental levels for both milk production and butterfat percentage, and the index so obtained, although an approximation, has proved its worth for ordinary commercial purposes. For example, if a group of dams has a butterfat standard of 2501 b, and all their daughters by a particular bull have an average production of 3001 b of butterfat, then the total butterfat index for this bull is 3501 b. As already stated, such an index is sufficiently reliable to enable a breeder to distinguish between good, average, and inferior sires, but at the same time, since it is expressed as a single figure, it fails to show variations which can always be found by an examination of the daughter dam records used to compile the index. In Bulletin 95 the question of livestock improvement is dealt with on the above lines, and the importance of the subject warrants a careful examination not only of the material presented in the bulletin, but also of the literature available on all aspects of livestock recording, and on progeny testing schemes already practised in this and other countries. PLOUGHING MATCH A ploughing match, the first held north of the Waipara, will take place at Waiau on June 15, under the auspices of the Waiau branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The match will be held in a paddock lent by Mr J. L. Macfarlane, of Lyndon, Waiau. There will be £3O in cash prizes and 12 cups, and no entry fee. The schedule includes classes for both teams and tractors. Entries will close on June 9.

FIELD ROOTS

A. AND P. COMPETITIONS COURTENAY-MALVERN The awards in the CourtenayMalvern A. and P. Associations’ root growing competitions, the judging m which took place last week, have been made. The judging party was accompanied on the inspection of the crops by a number of district farmers and 1 competitors. The crops this s ®* so " are not up to the standard of those of last season, but nevertheless several outstanding crops were seen Thev were all clean, moreover, ana SeVom w M d». The green feed crons generally were good, but tne mangels were definitely below the standard of last season’s cr( ?P s - The winning swede crop, that of K. J. Westaway, was a particularly good one, the weight averaging slightly more than 50 tons. This exceptional weight for a Canterbury swede crop was assisted by the fact that it was sown in 21 inch rows. A. W. Adams also had an exceptional crop of swedes, this competitor taking second place. E A Adams produced a very heavy crop of mixed flesh turnips, weighing 53.5 tons to the acre. It was grown on silty river flat land on the Waimakariri river bank. * The mdges were Messrs J. Cx. Me Kay (Department of Agriculture) and A. P. Chamberlain, and the judges of the land. Messrs C. G. Jarman and R. Henderson. The following are the results: — Swedes

FLOCK COMPETITION COUBTENAY-MALVERN RESULTS The flock ewe competition of the associations was held on Thursday, when a good number of interested farmers accompanied the judges round the various flocks entered into the competition. The judges were Messrs T. D. Jarman and T. F. Hight (Hororata). The former judged the competition two years ago. and in commenting on the class of flocks presented, said that there had been a decided improvement in the meantime. The following are the detailed re--s UClass I—Flock of two-tooth ewes, 50 or more. Possible points 90. Five entries. —J. D. Henderson (7 1 points) 1, Judd Bros. (76 points) 2. Major Hutton (72 points) 3. . „ , Class 2 —Flock ewes, four-tooth and upwards, not fewer than 100 or mote than 400. Possible points 110. Two entries —J. D. Henderson (92 points) 1, A. Manson (66 points) 2. Class 3—Flock ewes, four-tooth and upwards, more than 400. Four entries— C. O. Redfern (87 points) 1. H. B. Shipley (86 points) 2, Major Hutton (85 points) 3. Class 4—Flock ewe hoggets, more than 200, all that are intended to be kept for exhibitor’s own flock. Possible points 90. Two entries-—H. B. Shipley (81 points) 1, Major Hutton (79 points) 2. Class s—Flock dwe hoggets, more than 50 and under 200. Possible points 94. Three entries—Judd Bros. (84 points) 1, C. G. Jarman (83 points) 2, J. D. Henderson (74 points) 3. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company’s challenge cup for the most points scored m all classes was won by J. D. Henderson. EARLY LAMBS BEST MATING PERIOD A North Canterbury farmer for some years has been attempting to secure from his ewe flock a limited number of early lambs, putting the ram out in February to secure the lambs in July. However, he had no success, the ewes not mating until the following month, and the lambs not appearing until August. This year he was successful through no design of his own. Last December a neighbour’s ram got amongst his ewes, and it was not discovered until the next day. However, the result of the visit was the appearance this last week ot about 20 lambs. The interesting feature from a stockman’s point of view is that the lambs were being weaned at the time of the ram’s unscheduled visit, and the results appear to support the claim that ewes just going ott their milk are more susceptible to mating than at other times outside the usual period. There has been a firming in northern sheep values. At the Waipukurau sale on Tuesday a line of 80 five-year ewes. In lamb to Southdown rams, sold at 27s 6d. A pen of well-woolled ewe lambs sold at 30s Id. An interesting line to Canterbury pastoralists was that of 150 Corriedale cross wether lambs, shorn, which sold at 14s 9d.

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB

AGRICULTURAL WEEK AT LINCOLN COLLEGE An agricultural week at Lincoln College is to be held next month, open to members of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of the Canterbury, Otago, and Southland provinces. This gathering should not be confused with the short course held at Lincoln each year. The course will be held under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, and will commence at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 19, and conclude on the following Friday night, July 23. , . The programme will be made VP, 01 lectures, demonstrations, stock-judg-ing, and organised excursions to farms. The lectures given will include such subjects as “Farm Management” (Dr. Weston), “Manuring of Farm Crops” (R. McGillivray), “Pasture Management” (J. W. Calder), “Wool” (D. Sidey). “Animal Nutrition” (Dr. Franklin), “Birds in relation to Agriculture” (L. W. McCaskill), “Farm Shelter” (I. D. Blair). Evenings will be devoted to popular lectures and discussions, and lantern slides, and a movie film will be shown. Several short excursions, notably to “Otahuna” (Sir K. Heaton Rhodes’s farm) and “Ashley Dene” (College light-land farm) will be made, and a whole day will be set aside for an organised tour to a number of farms of interest in North Canterbury. Indoor accommodation is being provided by the college for 50. In the event of applications exceeding this number, preference will be given to those first to apply. The cost will bo approximately 23s 6d a member for board, etc., while an additional 7s 6d or so will be required to cover travelling expenses connected with excursions where these are taken advantage of.

• June June 2, 1936. 1937. Wethers — s. s. s. S. Extra prime to 41 heavy to 34} Prime heavy 27 to 29 31} to 35} Prime medium-weight 24 to 26} 28} to 31 Ordinary 22 to 23} 24} to 27 Light to 21 to 24 Ewes — Extra prime heavy to 26} to 301 Prime heavy 22 to 24 24 to 26 Prime medium-weight 18} to 213 20 to 23 Ordinary 15} to 18 17} to 19 Light to 151 to 17

Steers— £ £ £ £ Extra prime heavy to 14 to 153 Prime heavy SJ to u 103 to 123 Prime medium-weight 71 to 9 91 to 103 Ordinary 4J to 7 83 to 93 Light to 41 to 8 Heifers— Extra prime ., to 9 to 11 Prime 5i to 7 6 to 73 Medium 31 to 5 41 to 53 Light to 33 to 43 Cows — Extra prime to 10} to 103 Prime 43 to 7 43 to 63 Medium 3i to 41 3| to 41 Light to 31 to 31

Tons Net Name weight return £ s. d. R. J. Westaway .. 50.45 13 9 0 A. W. Adams .. 42 10 12 9 F. Jenkins . .. 33.25 8 12 E. Skurr .. 31.37 7 14 9 F. Bull .. 20.87 3 11 0 Mangels Tons Net Name weight return £ s. d. L. D. Adams .. 45.4 11 0 2 A. W, Adams .. 35.37 8 6 6 L. D. Adams .. 33 62 7 6 4 White Fleshed Turnips Tons Net • Name weight return £ s. d. E. A. Adams 40 7 11 9 H. C. Townshend . 38.5 7 5 6 R. S. Gunn , 33.5 6 5 2 F. Jenkins . . 31 6 0 0 F. Bull . 30.75 5 10 2 Ml Bull . 31 5 9 1 Mixed Fleshed Turnips Tons Net Name weight return £ s. d. L. D. Adams .. 53.5 9 14 R. S. Gunn .. 32.25 5 14 7 F. Jenkins . .. 27.5 5 0 11 Green Feed on Fallowed Ground Free Even - from Qual. Bulk ness Weeds Pts. 40. 40. 10. 10. T. L. Jenkins 37 36 91 9 911 A. Manson . ■ 38 32 8 8 88 A. Manson .. 37 32 7i 7 831 M. Bull 33 32 8 71 801 R. J. Westaway 35 31 61 7 791 Green Feed After Grain Crop Free Even from Name Qual. Bulk ness Weeds Pts. F. Jenkins .. 34 30 73 9 803 F. Jenkins .. 33 32 71 71 80