SEASONAL NOTES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 264, 5 August 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

SEASONAL NOTES

Save More Calves Herd depreciation is estimated at a minimum of 20 per cent., and by manj authorities at 22 per cent., in New Zealand milking stock today. It follows, therefore, that if our herds are to be properly kept up, in quality as well as numbers, calves must be saved to provide this measure of replacement. Unfortunately this has not been done for several years past. That our herd numbers have been maintained as well as they have has been at a cost of quality. Tens of thousands of poor quality cattle are in the herds of this country because there is a lack of replacement cattle. For this there is but one sound national remedy, arid that is to rear more calves. Take, for example, an average herd of 60 cows. Allowing a2O per cent, depreciation, 12 springing heifers are needed each season for replacements. But more than 12 calves should be saved to provide these. In the first place, one must allow for one calf dying; allowance should be also made for proving no good as a weauer; and finally for one as a springer, not getting in-calf or failing to develop properly. Sufficient calves, therefore, should be raised to provide 12 needed, >plus three spares, 15 in all. With 60 cows in a herd and half the calves heifers, one needs to save half the heifer calves. As it is desirable to save those from the best cows and those arriving not too late, it will be found that there is not overmuch opportunity for picking and choosing. Home-bred stock are usually the best. Buy in if you wish, but realize when doing so that you are paying out cash for something that might have been better bred-up on the farm. Arbor Day. The tree-planting season is a double one, with two best months, May and August. June is a bad month, and July none ; too good in many localities. With August comes the reminder of Arbor Day—a day worthy of some respect from every true man on the land. If you are not planting a shelter belt now, at least put in some good shade trees. All August is good for planting, and in most districts the earlier part of September is suitable.