HAWKE’S BAY SCENES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 234, 1 July 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

HAWKE’S BAY SCENES

Fat Lambs From Hill Country

CATTLE ON LONG TREKS On a trip to Hawke’s Bay last week to attend the Aberdeen Angus stud sales I took the opportunity to see some country new to me—a block of limestone hills between Waipukurau and Ormondville. Here topdressing has given wonderful results in fat lamb production. In Hastings I received an account of pasture seed developments. And all along the trip many items of interest were gleaned.

An early item of interest was a mob of 200 “blacks,’’ Hereford and cross cows as thin as rakes seen on the highway just before Dannevirke. These were a Gisborne line on a long trek to Taranaki, the best part of 400 miles. The drover in charge—there was only one —had picked up the mob above Wairoa and was now in his fourth week. At the gorge the cattle would go to a third drover to continue their travelling for yet another two or three weeks, making seven or eight weeks on the road. When seen the cattle were making but seven or eight miles a day, and many were feelin" the strain. One had had to be left in a paddock that morning. The drover remarked that his charges had picked up somewhat in condition since passing below Napier. They were not old crocks, so despite the arduous journeying they should go ahead once they reach their haven on Taranaki spring feed. In other parts of the Bay, I was to come across further cases of Gisborne cattle living on the “long acre.” Going into Dannevirke a mob of about 30 head of splendid, fat beef cows was passed; evidently a local draft. Beyond Norsewood, I saw more Gisborne cattle, this time headed for Taihape. There were about 150 steers, 14 to 2j-year-olds, blacks and crosses, in fairly good condition. They were a mixed mob, of which some were headed for Eeilding district In all my travels not a single mob of sheep was encountered. In Central Hawke’s Bay. on back roads, I saw and heard of more Gisborne cattle living on the road. In one case I met a farmer there, himself short of cattle feed, who had looked forward to getting some “long acre” grazing for his own, only to have that eaten out to the last straw by strangers. Some neighbours suggested protesting to the county, but he felt too sorry for the owner of the stranger cattle to make a fuss. And he realized that that grazing was costing the owner o f the cattle money—two drovers to be paid for weeks on end. Such cases are by no means rare this winter, I gathered. Cattle breeders are going through a difficult time. In the largely dairying area from Woodville to Norsewood it was noticed that not a haystack had yet been cut into. Apparently feed there is still holdtilg the stock. Waipukurau Onward. The Takapau Plains appeared pretty bare, but from Waipukurau onward the feed was surprisingly good. It was noticeable that the weeping willows still bore a full third, of their leaves, so it had been an easy ■winter so far. In Manawatu these, trees are generally bursting their spring leaf buds at the end of July, and Hawke’s Bay should be quite as early. In Waipukurau a visit was paid to Mr. G; L. Crooks’s Dorset Horns. Several sturdy lambs were seen, appearing from two to six weeks old. They were on good feed and both sheep and lambs were in great condition. No foot trouble was evident, despite their being on strong and rather damp ground. This breed is getting quite a hearing in the Bay, on hill country particularly. The rams are reported to have been wonderfully active, even during the dry conditions obtaining at last autumn’s tupping. The general price for rams heard of was 12gns., which shows a keen demand indeed. Between Waipukurau and Waipawa two or three fertilizer trials were noticed, marked out with white-topped pegs, which showed up well. There were evidently some marked responses and differences, for they were easily observable from a car travelling at 40 miles an hour.

Through here and toward Tikokino much young grass was seen doing fairly well, following on from rape in most instances.

On the crest of the high limestone ridge, between Waipawa and Tikokino a good line of A.A. weaner steers was ncrticed grazing on the north side of the road.

pearjou sum n -poo3 sum faoj Over this ridge by the Argyll turn-off I saw an electric fence, cutting a break off a big paddock of chou moellier. This was unusually well erected to hold sheep, having two iron standards a chain to support three wires. The crop was not heavy, being in a very dry area. Of sheep seen through Central Hawke’s Bay, and to a lesser degree in other parts of the Bay, one.gained this impression—quite 75 per cent, appeared about 20 per cent, too lean, down all of 201 b. in weight. May the winter be an easy one. Pasture Seeds Industry. In Hastings some interesting information was gained on the pasture seeds harvest and prospects. The past season'was a great one for growers; crops were very fair and prices remarkably good, assisted no doubt by the large-scale failure of Manawatu-Rangitikei areas, Some 440 entries were received for certification from about IGO growers under tlie following classes of perennial rye: 124 acres of “Stock’’ seed, 2070 of “Mother,” 1595 of “P.P.,” 73 of one-year pedigree, and 75 of over one-year pedigree ; a total of 3825} acres. There was also 30 acres of cocksfoot entered. As high as 12/G a bushel, farmers dressed, was paid for Mother seed. Yields from 3479 acres had been dressed to June 21, and from 77.625 bushels farmers dressed 50.437 bushels machine dressed need was obtained. The loss is 35 per cent. —unusually heavy because of the over-damp early summer weather.' This figure is of interest to those who purchase “farmers dressed” seed for sowing purposes. Tf bought at 10/- a bushel, they were really paying more than 15/for' the clean seed contained. Normally good lines will yield 75 per cent, of clean seed. In that case 10/- would represent 13/6 dressed. "Commercial” rye also shows a considerable increase, for 13.080 bushels have been dressed, with a good deal yet to come in. compared with 10.023 bushels for nil 1938. About 14 per cent, of this season's entries have been rejected. White clover ( too. is showing substantial increase, with 62,5001 b. and more to come, compared with the 1938 total of 52 0501 b. This season's total is exnected to exceed 80 0001 b.. and s n will b" more than 50 per cent, above that of 1938. At 21b. an acre the crop would sow 40.000 acres of pasture. Indications arc that much seed harvesting will be done next season . An even Larger quantity of sen-1 is looked for in tlm event of a reasonable season. A feature of the development is the free inquiry fn- Government stock seed by farmers. This is horatioe of the resultant cron being classified ns pedigree, which returns a price above mother seedThe demand for wdigree has been very strong this autumn. Ormondville Hill Country. Journeying southward once more, the main route was -left in Wnipnkurnu and an excursion made into the hili country to the south-east. Between ' Walpukura/u and the Sanatorium Hill the turn-off

was takdh to the left, on a road leading toward Hatuma and out to the coast at Porongahau. A broad flat of good country stretches for some seveu miles from Waipukurau, along the south side of which the road lies. Here I was surprised to find a large lake, apparently of several hundred acres. On either side of the shallow valley lie easy hills, really downs, composed of a yellowy clay. A mile or so on from Hatuma the fiat land ceases and rolling land closes in and then in another mile or so the hills grow sterner. At 10 miles from Waipukurau the first manuka was noted. The Sanatorium Hill range now closes in on the right. As the country grows steeper slipping scars are noticeable, and the scrub is increasingly obvious. But this i a not in disorder; being present only as a threat of what would happen were it let go. Apart from a fine crop of mangels near Hatuma, the first cropping seen was at nine miles out. This had been rape and was now sown back to grass. At 11 to 12 miles out the country has the character of the Weber hills. Here I noted a red poll .bull and some good cowa of the breed in a roadside paddock. Generally cattle seen on the hills were “blacks.” A mile or so on I left the Flemington road to take the Ormondville turning at Tourere station. Here was quite an oasis in the hills, splendidly planted in trees, with a large area in new grass, a big patch of chou moellier, and two oat stacks by a plantation row. From here a byroad leads southward over high country to the OrmondvillePorongahau main road, some seven miles distant. The storm of June 12 brought three inches of enow on this country. Here is the margin of the bush and onetime open scrub country, all now carrying good pasture. • i Topdressing and Fat Lambs. Such an area as this well illustrates how fat-lamb raising has spread into what was once thought of as the real sheep-bleeding country. Topdressing has been a magic wand to secure results, and the development is still going on. One property told of used 300 tons of super and 200 of lime this season. Almost “broke” a few years ago, the place is now on its feet. On another farm of 720 acres, which once carried only 700 sheep, no fewer than 2300 sheep were crutched this season, and 1100 fat lambs were put off. About half the ewes were put to Southdown rams; W.F. wether lambs provided balance of the fats. Not without difficulty the bulk of the property had been ploughed and regrassed. I pay a tribute to old Angus, the ploughman, for some of the ridges and sidlings he has covered with his team.

This farm, Te Kowhai, was the first about here to be topdressed. Now half the place is done each year. Put on the pastures, super is here reckoned to cost £6 a ton. Railage, eartage, packing and distributing all eat up money. Fortunately, the railway is fairly close, nine miles away, but even so cartage costs 8/a ton. Packing out was done with a team of 13 horses, each carrying two bags of 10 to the ton —a 24cwt, load, A splendid team of four men did the job here and widely about. They are booked for 1000 tons. The usual rate is £1 a ton to put on the super. Often it is packed out. They are good workers, and earn good money. In 5| days they put on 45 tons to earn £45, averaging more than £2 a day a man. Farmers find difficulty in keeping up supplies by pack-horse train.

This is limestone hill country, but out to the east lie easier downs land about Flemington. A visit was paid there, too. On one typical property 2| sheep an acre are carried, with the aid of topdressing. Flocks of ewes are served by Southdowns and Romneys. Dorset rams are also being tried, and the belief was expressed that this breed should help to get away a better percentage of fats. Cattle are carried. at one to 10 acres. The country out here has not yet received electrical service. On one farm a self-generating plant gave electric light. At another I experienced once again benzine gas light, and I must declare that its pleasant softness wns verjagreeable. My host declared, however, that he found the system a nuisance, and would willingly guarantee the power board handsomely to be given electricity, not alone for lighting, but for cooking and the host of labour-saving gadgets that save so much work. On To Ormondville. From Tourere Station through to the Ormondville road one climbs over a high limestone ridge of about 2000 feet. In the pass are some fine rock formations, huge blocks as big as a house. But for a little scrub the country is very clean, no fern or weeds being seen. A lot of cattle are carried, all A.A.’s, and looking in very good order. Feed was fairly good and the sheep were in good condition. There was no roughage about, so the cattle may have a hard time before spring, as another couple of falls of snow may be expected. The main road is reached at five miles east, of Ormondville. A rapid descent is made to Whetakura, on the one-time bush margin. Going onward a big gorge is passed, and across this was noted a long wire-rope span with a cage, presumably to bring posts and wood across. New Zealand farmers are certainly an enterprising people; they can turn their hands to almost anything.

Nearby wns wen a most e-plcndid goat, very large ami carrying a beautiful "fleece.” Perhaps these limestone hills in the rougher parts would do angoras well, though the shearers might not be keen on them.

The country soon eases to the rolling lands of Ormondville, and about seven miles from Dannevirke the first signs of dairying are wen, near Mnkotuku.

M’e had said good-bye to the real hill country, the land of sheep mid cattle breeders.