FARM AND STATION

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23053, 22 June 1940, Page 8

FARM AND STATION

BY STRaggler

ADDINGTON MARKET A FIRM SALE The heavy export mutton killings this season and the lack of fattening feed in mos* parts of the province were responsible no doubt for the small entry at this week’s market. Some outstanding lines were forward Irom the more fortunate districts, of which South Canterbury has been one this year, and sheep from this quarter made the best prices for a very long time. A truck lot of 58 wethers from there averaged from 40s lOd to 44s lOd, and there were a number of top pens oi .other lines from various parts of the province which ranged from 35s to 38s. The ewe section showed a further advance than wethers, the improvement over the greater part of the sale being a full 3s a head. It did not take anything much to exceed the 20s mark. Whilst there were a number of pens that sold from 30s to as high as 40s—in one case—the bulk of the good ewes exceeded the 25s mark. There was a large showing of ewes from the 14s to the 17s class, and the export trade competed steadily for these. Their purchases were comparatively heavy, and they paid what appeared to be schedule rates. A proportion of ewes and also wethers appear in the pens which would be more suitably accommodated in the store pens. At a time, however, when there is so little interest in store sheep the temptation to enter this class where a sale at some price is certain apparently cannot be resisted. Quite a few ewes on Wednesday sold at less than 12s It would seem that good prices will continue for the rest of the winter for prime mutton, as there has been a substantial disposal of the medium class, which is consequently not available for fattening. The following is a comparison with the prices ruling at the corresponding market last year:— ■ June 21. June 19. 1939. 1940. s. s. s. s. Wethers— Ex. prime heavy to 301 to 442 Prime heavy .. 25 to 271 to 36 Prime mediumweight 22 to 241 29 to 321 Ordinary . . IS to 21 25 to 28 Eight . . to 171 20 to 24 Ewes— Ex. prime heavy to 271 to 40 Prime heavy .. 21 to 23 281 to 31 Prime mediumweight 16 to 191 23 to 28 Ordinary .. 131 to 151 18 to 22 Light, .. to 13 to 171 Fat Lambs The fat lamb season finished in style. It-has to be confessed that not much of the penning was of a class to advertise the merits of “prime Canterbury.” but there were a few, and these sold at more than 30s a head with a few out-sized lambs at more than 40s. Some 35s lambs bought at the yards lately have dressed more than 601 b, so that at 9d per lb, the buying came out all right. The prices have been the best for many seasons, and the fattening conditions have been the worst. Ex. prime heavy to 324 to 40 Prime heavy .. 22 to 25 28 to 32 - Medium .. 18 to 21 22 to 27 Light .. 11 to 17 14 to 21 Store Sheep There were a few pens of rather attractive ewes forward in the store sheep section, and these brought prices which showed that there is still a buying element when anything suitable is offered. There was little change,* however, for the old ewe element, although there were too few sheep in the market as a whole to provide any standard for comment. Fat Cattle Due to a moderately sized entry there was a welcome recovery in beef values for medium and good cows and heifers as well as for the best prime ox beef. Prime improved by 20s a head. Even the elderly cows, described in the North Island as “Taranaki beef,” were in better demand. In the absence of provincial figures this season, as to the killings of this class of beef, it cannot be estimated how many of these old cows have gone away as boners, but there certainly has been a lot. The local trade has not been able, even if it were willing, to buy the hundreds of cows that have come into the market each week. This sort sold freely on Wednesday at up to 10s a head improvement. £ £ £ E Steers — Ex. prime heavy to 173 to 181 Primp heavy .. 14 to 151 15 1° 16 £ Prime mediumweight 111 to 132 13 to 143 Ordinary 91 to 103 91 to 12 Light ... to 9 to 9 Heifers— Ex. prime .. to 123 to 12 Prime .. 91 to 103 91 to 10J Medium .. 6J to B'. 61 to 62 Light .. to 61 51 to 61 Cows* 11 Ex. prime .. to-HJ to Hi Prime 74 to : 9 74 to 94 Medium .. 54 to 63 54 to 63 Light .. to 54 44 to 54

MR NASH AND MEAT CONTRACTS

CO TUB EDITOR or CUE CRESS Sir, —In a recent statement Mr Nash repeats his figure of, 83,000 tons excess of meat. His first statement over the air that 1 took exception to was:—’ “That the United Kingdom undertook to purchase only 300,000 tons for this season. The country’s production this season, including the carry-over from last season, would be nearly 30 per cent, in excess of that. In actual figures the estimated quantity available was 85.000 in excess of what the agreement stipulated.” The Government published the fact that the British Government had agreed to purchase our meat on November 16, 1938. At that period almost the whole of the previous season’s kill—except the usual small quantity sent forward to keep the market supplied until the arrival of the new season’s supply—had been shipped. In any case I cannot understand why Mr Nash, when he is dealing specifically with the production for the season, should attempt to drag in the previous season’s carry-over of meat, which he now estimates at 45,000 tons. Will he show where he got this 45,000 tons? These figures bear no relation whatever to the contract to supply 300,000 tons of meat of this season’s kill. ' Mr Nash laid emphasis on the fact that Britain would only contract definitely for 300,000 tons. Over the air he elaborated this point and conveyed the impression that the extent of future contracts was very uncertain. He has left an uneasy feeling in the minds of farmers about the future and also misled the Prime' Minister. I have been at conferences in Ottawa and London, when meat supplies for the ensuing seasons were being arranged with the United Kingdom, and one of the first questions raised was that each country should specify quantities. .Mr Coates, in rus letter to Mr Baldwin at Ottawa, said: “The Dominion will give a reliable, estimate of shipments of mutton and lamb as early as possible _in each export season.” That promise was carried "Ut. . . I was at the conference in 1934 in London. The Minister for Agriculture’s representative, in the chair, was more insistent still in his demand. That was in peace time; in war it would be imperative. Great Britain had_ to make provision to feed her millions, the cold stores had to be kept full of meat and the shipping arranged and a budget made of the total quantities

NOTES BY THE WAY A WHEAT GUARANTEE A sound proposal was made at the meeting of the Wheat Research Institute to encourage an increased sowing of wheat. As against a proposal to give another 6d a bushel for spring-sown wheat. Mr R. K. Ireland suggested that growers might be guaranteed against a total loss of the costs on their crops. This proposal has the advantage of helping the man who has lost on his patriotic effort, as against adding to the profit of the grower who met with no climatic disabilities. With so much heavy land taken up in pasture, which it would ,be uneconomic to plough up for wheat, in view of our sheep and cattle feeding and fattening needs, a good deal of “marginal” land has to be brought into wheat growing to provide the necessary 300,000 acres required. The experience on some of the lighter and marginal land last season was disastrous. Crops of from 13 to 18 acres were fairly plentiful in some light land districts, which were caught by the drought conditions. A few crops, as a matter of fact, were , not worth reaping. In normal seasons much of this land averages from 20 to 25 bushels an acre. It would not be lack of patriotism that prompted growers to question the wisdom of repeating last year’s effort, with a risk of its heavy disappointments. They simply cannot afford to take the risk If growers on this class of land could have the costs of cultivation, seed, s manure, and harvesting guaranteed, they would have substantial encour- ! agement to join up in the effort now j in progress. There is only a slight ■ risk that some totally unsuited land for wheat may be brought into culti- 1 vation, but this could be guarded j against by guaranteeing only those ' growers whose farms had shown a rea- 1 sonably good wheat production record. Unless the season turns out an abnormally bad one. the amount in- 1 volved should not be large, and as far gs present appearances indicate, the season is not going to be a bad one through last .year’s cause—lack of moisture. It is on the late side of the season for such a scheme to apply to light land on an extensive scale, and light land is npt devoted to spring wheat sowing, but there are heavier lands which the continual wet weather may make farmers divert to some other crop. A guarantee would probably still keep it reserved for spring wheat. THE EWE KILLINGS Before details of the progress meat killings were first published this season, a little more than a month ago, it was predicted that it might be found that the increase which was apparent might be due to inroads on capital—i.e., the killing of breeding ewes and ewe lambs. The latest figures, published last Monday, show that this prediction was correct. The total North Island killings and all but the tailend of those of the South showed that 715,000 more ewes had been killed this year than last. At the same time, wether killings dropped by 141,000, but wether killings are not an encroachment on capital in the same sense as those of ewes. The wether is restricted to the production of wool and meat. In addition, 746,048 more lambs have been killed this season than last. As all the wether lambs it is possible to send to the works are sent in any season, the natural assumption is that more than 50 per cent, of this increase is of ewe lambs, lambs which, in ordinary circumstances, would be incorporated in the flocks. The position, therefore, is that rather than increasing our production, we arc liquidating some of our capital. Many of the extra adult ewes were properly due for disposal, and the increased killings should-not give occasion for concern, but there is nothing to be gained by camouflaging the position by claiming the figures as in&reased “production.” contracted for, and certainty of delivery arranged. My experience has been that countries give estimates beyond what they have been supplying, leaving a liberal estimate for contingencies. The chairman 'had all the export figures for years before him, and Dominion representatives had to give a satisfactory explanation for an increased quantity. If that could not be done the increase was disallowed. In 1938 conditions would be exceedingly strict. Contracts at definite prices .were being made for definite quantities of supplies, and proof had to be given that these contract quantities would be available. The quantity could not be left open to each country. Contracts were being discussed with about seven countries for the supply of meat, and they could have flooded the cold stores of Britain and thoroughly disordered her shipping. I do not know what quantity the New Zealand Government asked for,, but I do know that if they had been asked to contract for a definite i quantity With a substantial penalty for i non-fulfilment they could not have asked for more than 300,000 tons. That , was more than we have ever exported • in one season—our last three years’ average is below 280.000 tons. Great : Britain was more than generous in her i contract quantity, and as an additional safeguard to the Dominion. Britain i undertook that if shipping space could , be made available to buy from us within the limit of its requirements. Britain in carrying out that promise and the exported quantities already made proves that fact. The statement made by Mr Nash misled the Prime Minister, for in replying to a request that we should have a meatless day in New Zealand, and thus increase our export of meat he discouraged this, as it might embarrass Britain .. . she had only agreed to take specified quantities. The result of these statements is that the farmers are concerned about future supplies. My advice to the farmer is to produce the maximum possible. Britain will want it, and as long as she rules the sea she will come and get it. As a matter of fact we are going to expert this season far more than the 300,000 tons, and Mr Cockayne was quite right when he said at Palmerston that we Were exporting capital stocks. I We are going to kill and export this season about 850,000 more of last year’s breeding ewes than the average export for the last seven years, boned beef (principally old dairy cows) shows a heavy increase, and large supplies are still coming forward. Unfortunately dry weather conditions in Hawke’s Bay and some other districts has made a great shortage of cattle feed, and many cattle are being killed that would usually be kept, and weaner calves are being slaughtered and boned in large quantities. Our farm production in the past has shown a continuous increase. The increase in breeding ewes in the last 10 years has been more than 4,000,000 head, but the heavy inroads we are making into our breeding stock this year appear to prove the truth of what farmers have been contending—that they can no longer sustain the burden they have been forced to carry and must plan their work and production to meet the altered conditions. Yours, etc.. DAVID JONES. Wellington, June 17.

A WAR EFFORT EXTENSION OF CROPS MERCANTILE FIRMS’ ASSISTANCE The chairman of the North Canterbury Stock Auctioneers’ Association (Mr H. S. Lawrence) advises that the stock and station agents, in association with representatives of the Department of Agriculture, the grain and seed merchants, and farming interests, have under consideration a war effort scheme which, it is hoped, will bring into production this,season substantial additional areas of suitable land in Canterbury for various classes of crop, including spring wheat. It is expected that final details will be arranged during the next few days to enable the scheme to be put into operation by the end of the present month. An announcement in this connexion will be published early next week, and will be broadcast from 3YA next Monday evening at 7.50. TURNIP COMPETITION OXFORD DISTRICT There are exceptions to the widespread scarcity of winter feed in Canterbury this year. As previously stated numerous "pockets” exist where growing conditions have been normal, and even better. One of the districts in which there have been good turnip crops is Oxford. Further down on the plains, however, the diamond back moth has been exceptionally severe on turnips, and more and more farmers are inclined to think that the days of the turnip are numbered. On some of the lighter land round Swannanoa and Eyreton, the caterpillar of the diamond back moth has not only made a clean sweep of the turnip leaves, but has descended to the young bulbs and left practically bare paddocks. The turnip and green-feed competitions in the Oxford district were again well supported. Judging was carried out on Monday by Mr A. S. Nash, Instructor in Agriculture at Rangiora. who was accompanied during the day by Mr D. Budge, who acted as land valuer and by numbers of interested competitors. In all, 20 entries were inspected. In searching for a reason for the success of the turnip crop in this district, the fact cannot be ignored that locality plays a large part. Situated about 1000 ft above sea level and near the foothills, many showers that pass over the plains are received, and the winter is by no means mild. Also, the soil has never been seriously depleted by continuous cereal growing, but due credit must also be given to the farmers for the sound methods of cultivation and manuring employed. In practically every case the land had been ploughed out of grass in the previous winter, well worked with trustlers or cultivators through spring and early summer, and then harrowed down ready for sowing after Christmas, comments Mr Nash. Manurlal Treatment Past results have firmly convinced farmers in this district of the value of adequate manure. The general practice is to sow one bag of super mixed with one bag of lime with 10-12 oz of seed and then to give another similar application of manure when the crop is four to five weeks old and firmly rooted. The second manuring is cross drilled and, besides supplying additional nutrient,. performs at the same time valuable cultivation in killing weeds and breaking any crust on the surface. The high quality of the bulbs at the time of inspection was an outstanding feature, and the majority of the crops had green and robust tops. In nearly every case the crops had , not been sown until after the new year, and, although a shorter growing season may reduce the yield, this practice certainly seems to be successful In avoiding insect damage. It produces sound bulbs free from rot, and they will remain in this condition well into the winter. In the green-feed section, a heavy crop of Garton’s “Onward” oats variety was the winner, on light land further down towards the plains. Turnips alongside were almost a complete failure, and there is no doubt that, except in the favoured localities, altei’native crops such as Italian ryegrass and red clover, oats, and grass, and last but not least, lucerne will have to replace turnips in the future unless a control can be found for the diamond back moth. The following are the results in the various classes of the competition:— Green Feed—A. E. Cross, 35 (adjusted ponits), 1; Englebrecht Bros., 28, 2; W. J. Scurr, 27, 3; Englebrecht Bros., 22 i, 4. Soft Turnips—T. Reed, 784, 1; A. J Cleeve, 58J, 2; E. Lassen, 47, 3. S. Hopkins, 41, 4. Mixed Turnips—Mrs J. Wells, 63, 1; J. Doak, 584. 2; A. E. Cleeve, 54, 3; 1 A. J. Cleeve" 40, 4. Hard Turnips—Englebrecht Bros., 60J, 1; F. Gorton, 534, 2; S. Hopkins, 43 3. Swedes —T. Reed, 634, .1; A. E. Cross. ' 504, 2; E. McGrath (1), 384, 3; E. McGrath (2), 354, 4.

BACON PRODUCTION AUTUMN AND WINTER FEED FOR PIGS Mr G. M. Tolhurst, of Wellington, writes to the editor as follows: — I understand that England wants bacon. I suggest that the Government should ask the Department of Agriculture to co-operate with the pi ess and pursue an active publicity campaign to give extensive instructions ror the production of autumn and winter feed for pigs. These instructions should be widely advertised, both in the press and broadcast over the air, and wireless broadcasts should urge farmers to read instructions in the press on a named day and date. Wherever there are threshing machines no doubt the growing of peas or other crops for distribution wih be urged. In the absence of threshing machines, it is probable that sugar beets and guerande carrots will be recommended. It is possible, however, that the department might even recommend farmers who cannot thresh crops to sow a catch crop of partridge peas next spring in land about to be sown down in grass. A stack of unthreshed peas will fatten a lot of pigs. Pigs do not let any peas go to waste. There is room, however, for explanation on many details, such as:— 1. What variety to sow? 2. When to plant various seeds for autumn feed? 3. When to plant for winter feed? 4. How deep to sow? 5. Whether to sow on the ridge, or on the flat? 6. What quantity and variety of manure? 7. What quantity of seed to sow where there are many cutworms which bite off mangels, sugarbeets. chou moellier, etc., when two inches high? 8. What quantity of seed to sow in country free of cutworms? and many other problems. It is annoying and disappointing for a farmer to lay down an acre ot mangels, and then to have to plough in the whole crop because he sowed only two pounds of seed (instead of 61b for cutworms and 21b for himself). The department should remember that it is asking men to grow pig food who have never grown it before, and full instructions on these details are of the utmost importance. We have an excellent means of publicity in our newspaper service, and this should be used much more effectively for the national effort of increasing pig production. In the past, advice issued by the Department of Agriculture has received considerable but unorganised publicity. If such information were published regularly and repeatedly every week as a special and constant feature of every newspaper, beneficial results should accrue. Several newspapers have a weekly page devoted to farming matters. I think every “newspaper in the country should have a weekly page devoted to agriculture. To maintain a constant supply of information on agriculture generally and bacon production in particular should be the responsibilityv.-qf the Department of Agriculture stop! any others who are able to assist. Many problems arise, and producers should be encouraged to write to the Department of Agriculture asking for information, and useful questions and replies should be published, both, together, in the press for the benefit of other producers. . Thus there is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture for giving information, the responsibility of the press, for broadcasting it, and, lastly, there is the responsibility of thq. farmer to look for, and, where possible, to act on the afivice given. THE DAIRY DECLINE SIGNIFICANT FIGURES Significant figures were given at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Dairy Breeds Association last week by the chairman (Mr Jno. Parlane, Cashmere). Mr Parlane said that it was essential for them to build up the dairy herds of the country, and to do this dairymen should rear more heifer calves. The waste that was going on in this respect was indicated by the fact that for the 11 months ended March 31 more than a million calves had been slaughtered in the Dominion, of which approximately half would be heifers. The rearing of a considerable proportion of these heifer calves would not only provide for heavy culling of inferior cows and fpr normal replacements through disease and accident, but would enable large additions to be made to the dairy herds. Such steps were imperative, as it had been authoritatively stated that there were some 60,000 fewer dairy cows in milk this year than there were last year. It had been shown in the annual report of the National Dairy Conference that dairy farmers in 1937-38 decreased by 4327, and there was a further decrease in 1938-39 of 1470. The average production of butter-fat a cow was also going down, the figures in the last three seasons being; 1936-37, 2451 b; 1937-38, 2381 b; and 1938-39, 2151 b a cow. Dairy farmers, by due attention to pasture management and winter feeding, could certainly more than maintain the 1936-37 figure of 2451 b a cow. Mr Parlane also stressed the value of pig raising, which was an essential part of dairying. Every dairy farmer should be a pig producer, and there was no food supply that could be produced more rapidly than that of pig products. The present spell of dry weather is the longest the coastal part of the province has had since the beginning of the wheat-sowing season. As a result tillage work has been speeded up at a solid rate. Teams and tractors are to .be seen at work over most of the countryside, and in a few centres the drill is at work. The bright warm days of the last week have dried up land which a fortnight ago appeared as if it would be in a sodden condition for the rest of the winter. Reports are to the effect that sowing of wheat on medium land is progressing briskly, and with a continuance of the present spell of sunshine a good deal of leeway should be made up. The ploughing now in progress of a good deal of the lighter land, which is scarcely likely to be for wheat at this stage of the season, may be taken as an indication of ap increased provision of green feed for the spring. The present price of lamb and mutton is encouraging the inclination in this direction. The heavy bullock which realised £515 at Addington on Wednesday in aid of the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund has an interesting career. When the Centennial Exhibition was beginning to take shape Mr J. R. D. Johns, of Belfast, was commissioned by a North Island sportsman to secure the biggest bullock he could find in the South Island for exhibition purposes. Mr Johns secured two big-framed Shorthorns, which weighed after purchase nearly a ton live weight each: The second bullock was bought as a “stand-in” in the event of the other’s show career being cut short. The Wellington public, however, was not greatly interested in specimens of bovine immensity, being more attracted by the hilarious thrills and pranks of “crazy house” and such like. “Barney’s” side-show career was therefore cut short by an unsympathetic public, and there was no call for the other bullock to take his place. It was the latter that was sold and killed this week. Mr Johns bought them both back, and the bigger one has been given by him for another war funds effort during National week.