BETTER FARMING

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LVI, Issue 40, 21 May 1935, Page 5

BETTER FARMING

JOB OSBORNE COMPETITION

RESULTS ANNOUNCED

At the annual meeting of the Ellesmere A. and P. Association held on Friday evening, the results of the Job Osborne Better Farming Competition were announced. There were 13 competitors from all over the Springs and Ellesmere districts, and a good deal of interest was taken in the competition. The results were — " A. C. Greenwood (Southbridge), 860 points i W. J. Johnston (Tai Tapu), 815 points .. .. "' ' * 2 Joseph Brooks (Brookside), 806 points .'. . 3 W. H. Tyson (Springston), 759 points " 4 John Brooks (Irwell), 755 points .. .. '." 5 George Henderson (Lincoln) " 6 < iudJ^^T^vf w fl ere. announced Dr. I. W. Weston, one of the cer§fic' a^ h l ■ i° Ur PlaC6d com Petit<>r« were presented with certificates by the president of the association, Mr J. C. Chamberlain

COMMENTS ON THE COMPETITION.

Afterwards the three judges of the competition, Dr, Weston, Mr C. McIntosh and Professor Hilgendorf, addressed the meeting, giving their impressions of the competition in a general manner.

AROUND THE FARMS

Dr. Weston first of all explained how the points for profit and loss were judged. Sixty points were given for general management and 40 for profit and loss. ..While it was impossible for a competitor to win the competition speculatively, it was quite possible that the winner this year might not be the winner next time, due to the fluctuation in prices for produce and stock. The condition of th| season, too, had an important bearing on the competition.

Dr. Weston displayed a chart upon which were given general averages of areas, capital, revenue and expenses. The first was based on the average of the 13 farms in the competition, and the figures were assessed on a conservative basis so as to secure a general standard on which to judge the individual entries. The next section showed the four top farms on that basis, and the third the four lowest farms. These figures are given in the following table:—

.Area Valuation of Land Plant and Stock Total Capital Value Income from Cattle Income from Sheep Income from Pigs Income from Horses Crops Total Income Working Expenses Interest and Management Less Management Basic Rate Balance Return on Valuation ./

Discussing the averages for the 13 farms, Dr. Weston said that the valuation^was on a conservative basis and the stock and plant were averaged at clearing sale values. Working expenses only, not depreciation or major repairs, were included in this item, so that the figure was lower than the average farmer's income tax figures. The expenses had been cut to the bone. Expenses of management were reduced to a basic rate and the balance was the sum which could have been used for paying interest on capital. Dr. Weston went on to say that there were some top-notcher farms in the competition, and the judges were fortunate in the entries which had been received. There had been no defaults, or even suggestions of defaults, although the season was against some of the competitors. The secret of the success of the first man was good sales of sheep, certified wild clover, and general efficient

management; that of the second man was low capital cost, through farmers sharing ownership of plant; in the third, it was general, efficiency. The speaker said that he had thor-

oughly enjoyed the work, and he hoped that the next time the competition was held, more entries would be forthcoming and that it would be possible to separate the larger farms from the smaller. Dr. Weston added that Mr John Brooks had been successful in securing first in general points and first in sheep points; Mr Joseph Brooks second in general points; Mr J. C. Chamberlain first in cattle points

and third in general points; Mr C. N. C. Powell first in buildings, plants, fences, etc., and fourth in general points; Mr P. V. Bailey was first in points for horses.

IMPRESSIONS OP ANOTHER JUDGE. Mr Colin Mclntosh said that it was a real pleasure to him to see the farms and the splendid manner in which they had been managed and cared for. He had been on the lookout for critical points, but had found very «little to criticise. He was exceedingly pleased to see that horses had remained as units on the farms and that breeding had been kept going. He did not think that there was another district which could show such a satisfactory position in this respect. On one farm he was impressed with the intensive cultivation—every inch of land was being used and at the time of the visit, November, the farmer had potatoes ready for the market. On another farm with good grazing capacity, the farmer was practising strict rotational grazing and was getting splendid results. The lambing percentage was about 130 and, the ewes and lambs were looking splendid. The pasture had been down some years and was always fresh, even though it was heavily stocked. Mr Mclntosh advised a more even flock; he found in some places a wide range in counts of wool; in fact, he thought that in some there was too wide a Average of 13. 4 Highest. 4 Lowest.

I range. On another farm the stock Jwas almost all stud, and the only thing he could criticise there was a gelding which certainly did not do it credit. On one farm there was a paddock of wild white clover which was well worth seeing. It was harvested for seed and threshed very well. At the present time it was being heavily grazed and would be a paying proposition for years to come. Wild white clover was well worth while any farmer sowing, not only for grazing but for seed. On one dairy farm he was particularly pleased with the condition of the stock. The calves were in excellent fettle and did the farmer credit. Oni a 50-acre dairy farm there were 25 cows carried, with other stock. There was a paddock of grass seed and two of hay, and this Heavy carrying capacity was brought about by rotational grazing. Pigs on any farm where they were kept figured very largely. In other investigations in which he was concerned the revenue per sow

was put down at £20, and cows £5 to £6. The average in the competition was £24. These figures he quoted to show what a valuable asset the sow was on the farm.i Of course, he recognised that the number of

sows which could be carried was strictly limited. On one small farm there was not a horse on the place. A tractor was used. He did not think that this, on a small farm on heavy land, was economical practice. It was pleasing to notice on quite a number of farms shelter belts. Some had been planted within recent years, but it was a step in the right direction. It was found on~ some farms that the lambs were scouring badly, the reason being too much grass and wet. There was a cause for scouring

and the farmer could look for stomach trouble when it was present. He advised that in the case of sickness to give the flock a change of pasture as a precautionary measure. It was noticeable on most of the

places th&t the homesteads were comfortable, with gardens, the fences and appointments in excellent order, and the buildings well painted and up-to-date, with quite an air of prosperity. He did not suggest, however, that this was a fair average for the district. Another good feature, was the prevalence of concrete gate posts. In the majority of cases the gates were well hung, well kept and nicely painted. Nothing gave a more pleasing appearance to a farm than good gates, well hung, and these were generally indicative of the habits of the farmer. Nothing looked, better and set a farm off more than' tidy and well-kept gardens. The four leading farms in the competition had not gone in for tractors, and this, he considered, was a significant point. Tractors had their own uses, but the horse maintained itself, while for the tractor it was pay out all the time. In his other investigations he noticed that where a farmer was in financial difficulties there was almost always a tractor on the farm. Another point was that on the majority of farmg visited there was Hawke's Bay ryegrass. This would be an indication of the palatability of the grass. On light land or land where the pasture was not frequently disturbed, Hawke's Bay ryegrass was valuable. Montgomeryshire rye had been met with also. This grass had proved itself and was, under certain conditions, well worth a trial. The judges had found on the majority of farms visited that the machinery was well housed and well kept. He suggested that in future competitions there should be two classes. It was difficult to match small dairy farms with large wheat-growing areas. With a good year the smaller farm would give a larger percentage return for the capital invested and the working1 costs were less, and this helped to increase the percentage of profit. It would be better for the competition if there were an inspection of the leading farms,; for otherwise the value of the competition would be lost. If members of the association and other farmers were enabled to see those farms, they would gain much information and learn quite a lot. A field day, therefore, would be invaluable.

Dr y Hilgendorf said that the bulk" of the judging in his section had been done by Mr J. W. Calder. He would like, however, to refer to the wonderful work and enthusiasm which Dr. Weston had put into the competition. In Dr. Weston and Mr Mclntosh the association had two excellent judges.

Two or three questions on points of judging were asked, and answered by the judges.

The chairman (Mr J. C. Chamberlain) said that the judges had put in a great deal of time and work into the competition, but had generously not charged their expenses.

The judges were accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for their services.

212 £ 7053 £ 7094 £ 5646 1137 1216 750 8109 8310 6396 100 351 56 494 102 168 41 30 57 20 4 10 598 677 465 1110 523 1261 419 802 490 587 842 312 182 183 312 405 659 148 5p.c. 8p.c. 2.3 p.c.