FARMS AND FARMERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 October 1931, Page 4

FARMS AND FARMERS

ITEMS OF INTEREST

(By

“Rouseabout”)

PIG PRODUCTION. A primary industry that has never yet been fully exploited in New Zealand is that of pig-raising. On practically every dairy farm in the Dominion one finds a brood sow and a few porkers or baconers being fattened for the market, while on many other farms a few pigs are kept. But it is an exception to find a farm on which pig-raising and fattening are the major occupation, comments an exchange. A few such farms exist, and on some the housing and feeding facilities for the pigs have been brought to a high standard. On the majority of farms, however, the pig is just one of the side lines, and though the revenue derived from this source may be substantial, little trouble or care has been expended on the housing of the animals and facilities for the proper carrying out of feeding; and cleaning operations ’ arc, non existent. While the pig continues to be regarded as the scavenger of the farm, to clean up any rubbish unlit for other purposes, the industry cannot be expected to attain the importance and magnitude possible. Under the system, or lack of system, at present obtaining on most farms the cost of producing pork or’ bacon is considerably higher than would be the case if more sows were kept and proper facilities for their care provided. •The time is now opportune for the careful selection of sows to be used for breeding purposes next season, and his can be done with a minimum of expense.

MILK FEVER

Dealing with the subject of milk fever in the annual report of the Livestock Division for 1930-31, Mr J. Lyons, Director, states: “During the past season a considerable number of cases were treated with solutions of calcium injected . intravenously and subcutaneously, with satisfactory results. The salts used were calcium chloride and calcium gluconate. The former is somewhat difficult to use, and must be injected intravenously if the destruction of the surrounding tissue is to be avoided. The gluconate can be injected intravenously or beneath the skin of the neck or shoulder without any danger to the surrounding tissues. As stated, both methods of treatment can be recommended with confidence. It is doubtful, however, if the calcium treatment will ever supersede the old method of inflation of the udder which has been in vogue for the oast 30 years. Nearly every dairy .armer keeps' a milk-fever pump in his shed which he is capable of applying. whereas calcium salts are somewhat difficult to obtain, and, are beyond his means of application. It can be claimed for the new method of reatment that there is no danger of contaminating the udder, the secretion of milk is not interfered with, nor has the tedious process of freeing the udder from air to be undertaken. The use of lime in the drinking-water as a preventive for milk-fever is gaining ground among dairy-farmers and the results will be observed.”

SELECTING BREEDING STOCK Success in the poultry business depends to a large degree on one’s ability to rear good pullets. If good strong vigorous pullets can be placed in the aying sheds in the autumn the first .slip towards a successful financial year will have been taken. To produce good pullets and have them ready to lay early in the winter , one must breed them from strong virile stock. The three most important things to consider when selecting breeding stock are—(l) standard size for the breed; (2) constitution and vitality.

and (3) pedigree or egg record ot the ancestors (writes W. Rugg, of the Victorian Department of Agriculture.) Unfortunately, there are some poultrymen who regard the number of eggs a hen may produce as the only | indication of her value as a breeder, and many have made this their sole basis of selection, with disastrous results. It is a well known fact that, if any quality in a bird is stimulated to excess (which is possible up to a point and for a limited time) and other qualities that are needed are not developed to a similar degree, there is sure to be a breakdown. For instance, if selection is made on egg records alone, anti only the highest producers arc used as breeders, without giving due consideration to the birds’ size and constitution, the stock must deteriorate. It is the' experience of many men who have carried out line breeding for egg production that there has been a tendency ’for the birds to deteriorate in size, and although in some instan

ces there have been produced individual birds of good size and possessed of high egg-laying ability, the majority of the progeny were small in size for the breed and vigorous constitution, has resulted in the production of a large percentage of. undersized, weedy White Leghorns and Australorps, out of which it is impossible to make a profit. The poultry farmer should remem-, ber that his pullets and hens are simply the machines he employs to manufacture the raw materials—grain, etc.

—into the finished product—eggs. He must remember also that to be profitable as eggs producers these machines must be able to lay in 12 months eggs approximately live times their own weight—we have many authentic records of birds having laid

ten times their own weight in a year. It can be readily understood, therefore, that it is most important that only birds of sound constitutional vigour and vitality should be selected.

Unless a bird is typical of its breed, strong and robust, and has gone through the stages of development without sickness of any kind, it should be discarded as a breeder. Many people assert that birds for egg production can be picked on certain visible characteristics, such as type, measurement of certain hones, etc. My experience from observation of hundreds of birds in trap nests and single pens ] leads me to the conclusion that high egg producers know no set type by which wc can tell them with certainty. It is surprising the number of hens that possess many of the outward characteristics generally considered necessary in a good layer, yet fail to produce even a fair number of eggs, even when fed and housed un-t dur the best conditions.

IMPROVEMENT OF LIVE STOCK. Animals inherit possibilities and not completed structures. Good productive animals which will leave progeny after their type are produced from good parents. A bad sire will not give a good son. Selection must be based on economic grounds. The important things to consider are: — 1. Productivity. 2. Hardiness. 3. Fertility.

The only justification for the pedigree breeds is the improvement of the commercial stock of this countrty. Unless pedigree breeders face up to the economic aspects they need not complain if they cannot get a market fur their stock.

Crossing, especially for meat production. is often the best plan for the commercial breeder. But the success of this policy absolutely depends on the existence of the pure pedigreed breeds and on these breeds being bred for economic points. Livestock constitutes three-quarters of the marketed agricultural production of this country. Economic production depends on successful crossing between breeds and types. Successful crossing depends cn proper pedigree breeding based on economic selection. Therefore, success for three-quarters of British Agriculture depends on a proper conception of economic type by the pedigree breeders of Great ”n--less pedigree breeders maintain a proper conception of the economic type, they can prevent prosperity coming to British Agriculture, for they hold the key position as regards the permanent improvement of our livestock.

SUPPLEMEN TARY CROPS. On the question of winter feed the past season proved to be an extraordinary one in that some farmers’ turnip crops were absolute failures, with the result that they found it necessary to buy feed for their stock, while others had the opposite experience, and had difficulty in disposing of the excess. Most farmers have already made good progress with their preparations for next season’s turnip crops. After the past season’s experiences with club root, most farmers show a tendency to sow larger areas with root crops in order that they may be sure of sufficient feed for their stock FEEDING BROOD SOWS.

The practice of feeding lucerne hay to brood sows when the legume is not available in its green stage is finding increased favour. Lucerne supplies not only a high grade protein, but also provides the bulk that is necessary in the brood sow’s rations. The roughage must be of high quality., and contain a hißh percentage of nutritional elements to be satisfactory. Lucerne hay can be fed in a small rack, such as is commonly used for sheep, or it c"” be scattered on the feeding floor for sows to eat at it as they feel inclined. Another way is to take second pr third cutting leafy lucerne meal, and mix it with oil meal and ground oats in the proportion of two parts of oats, one part of oil meal, and one part of lucerne meals. Two or three pounds of this mixture to be made into a slop with milk if it is available. Brood sows will ordinarily eat about Wb of high-grade lucerne hay each day Breeders who make it a practice to feed lucerne usually find that their sows produce stronger and more vigorous pigs, and remain in much better condition.