THE WEEK

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27047, 23 May 1953, Page 5

THE WEEK

HIGH FERTILITY

The high fertility of much Canterbury arable land was remarked on by the judges of the North Canterbury pasture competitions in their report on this season’s competition. The judges, Mr C. C. Leitch, of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr R. H. Bevin, of the Meat and Wool Boards’ economics section, in their report, said:—

. While inspecting the farms the judges noticed that in contrast to the very limited amount of topdressing carried out a few years ago, most farmers have now adopted a regular annual topdressing programme. The subsequent pasture improvement and build-up in fertility on the arable land has meant that in cited cases yields of cereals are 50 ahd more per cent, higher than they were 10 to 15 years ago. The judges noticed also that as a result of this high fertility, pastures no longer ran out after a few years, and the age of pastures was a matter of indifference. Ploughing of paddocks for cropping has therefore, to a large extent, become a matter of choice, and not of necessity. The control of grass grub by the use of D.D.T. has also had some influence on the length of life of the pastures. . “The general use of certified seeds in the pasture mixture has meant that when seasonal growth is good any surplus feed may be saved and harvested for seed, this providing a valuable ‘catch crop.’ “It was noticed that many farmers preferred to harvest their surplus grass for seed rather than run cattle, this being due in many cases to the condition of the fences.

“There appeared to be a very high spring carrying capacity on the pastures being grazed. The build-up in fertility from intensive stocking must be very substantial. “It was apparent that the value of lucerne for winter hay is fully appreciated on most farms, and there is now only a limited quantity of turnips and swedes grown. “Short rotation ryegrass has shown its versatility as a winter grass. Cold storage grass of the same sort was being sown on practically all farms. “Pastures appeared to be more pure than they used to be, and there was a general absence of flatweeds evident in the pastures. Peas also appeared fairly free from annual weeds, and this was especially so when the crop was sown after grass. “Most farms entered in the competition had areas sown in wheat, and at the time of the inspection all crops were looking exceptionally well.”

FARM PRODUCTION AND INCOME

Gross farming income in New Zealand in the 1951-52 season fell to £209,300,000, a reduction of more than £81,000,000 on the previous year, according to the latest Abstract of Statistics. The 1950-51 total of £290,400,000 was easily a record, and even last year’s reduced figure was above the previous best of £181,200,000 in 1949-50. Income from agricultural production declined last season to £17,300,000, against £18,500,000 the year before, and was the lowest for five seasons. The pastoral production figure naturally reflected the heavy fall in wool from the peak prices, and was £109,800,000 against £200,000,000 the season before. Good dairy produce prices were reflected in a rise in that total from the record of £71,800,000 the year before to a new record of £82,200,000. The index number (1938-39 equals 100) for volume of farm production remained at 126, the same as the year before. Pastoral and dairy produce both showed slight rises above the records established the season before, but agricultural production slipped in volume from 153 to 144, a figure which has been equalled or exceeded eight times in the last nine yeafs.

EXPORT MEAT KILLINGS

Export meat killings for the season to May 2, 1953, showed an increase of 1165 tons compared with killings for the same period last year, according to the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board. “If allowance is made for this season’s statistics which include one more week’s killing than last season, it is estimated that export production is still nearly 10,000 tons less than 1951-52,” says the board’s statement. “Stocks of meat in store are 40,000 tons less than last season, indicating a very satisfactory shipping position.” The board’s figures show that the Dominion average lamb weight is this season 1.151 b lower than last season, and that wether and ewe weights are also lower.

Export meat killings this season to May 2, compared with killings, to April 26 last season (shown in parenthesis), are as follows: — North Island.—Lambs (carcases) 4,931,244 (4,882,596); wether (ccs.) 788,877 (687,734); Ewes (ccs.) 1,017,639 (1,233,520); beef (qrs.) 193,883 (117,054); pigs (ccs.) 182,365 (77,954). South Island. —Lambs. 4,783,731 (4,860,988); wether, 62,772 (26,284); ewes, 673,668 (667,176); beef, 11,419 (8956); pigs, 3158 (—). Dominion. —Lambs, 9,714,975 (9,743,584); wethers, 851,679 (714,108); ewes, 1,691.307 (1,900,696); beef, 205,302 (126,010); pigs, 185,523 (77,954).

Average killing weights in the same two periods were:— North Island.—Lambs (lbs) 32.73 (33.930); wethers (lb) 60.49 , (60.69); ewes (lb) 55.65 (56.00); beef (qrs) 193.381 b (187.83). South Island. —Lambs, 35.33 (36.42); wethers, 54.91 (52.76); ewes 55.70 (56.13); beef 137.531 b (131.771 b Dominion. —Lambs, 34.01 (35.16); wethers 60.08 (60.40); ewes, 55.67 (56.40); beef, 191.481 b (185.101 b

FOOT-AND-MOUTH ONLY

A distinguished overseas microbiologist at present in New Zealand; whose work is largely concerned with diseases of sheep and cattle, is rather puzzled by the questioning he received from a Government official when he arrived in this country. He was asked whether he had recently been in contact with foot-and-mouth disease. He said he had not, but added that he had recently been dealing with several other serious diseases of livestock. “Oh,” said the official, "I am not in the least interested in anything but foot-and-mouth disease.”

QUIET PONIES WANTED

Quiet cobs, hacks, and ponies were in sound demand at the annual sale at Kirwee recently, but buyers were insistent on quietness. Of the offering of 66, 50 were sold. The top priced pony was a 13.1 hand filly sold on behalf of Mrs G. Chalterton (Dunsandel) for 60 guineas, and there were sales at 50 guineas and 47J guineas. The rest of the saddle ponies made 20 guineas upwards. Best price for cobs was 20 guineas for a saddle cob from L. Warren (Yaldhurst). Top price for hacks was 28 guineas for a nine-year-old hunter from H. C. Abbot (Southbridge). Top price for pony brood mares was 26 guineas for an 11-hand pony from B. Turner (Halkett) in foal and with foal at foot. Hack brood mares made to 47J guineas for a grey from N. and S. Boon (KiUinchy), in foal and with foal at foot

Australian wool authorities expect that the average weight of wool from each sheep in New South Wales will this season be a record at10.751b. The previous highest was 10.241 b in 193940 Some New South Wales graziers have cut 31b of wool more each sheep, but the average has been about 21b.