FARM AND DAIRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 October 1927, Page 14

FARM AND DAIRY

NOTE'S BY THE WAY. It will be of interest to recall that the quotation for cheese at this time last year was 80/- to 86/' as against 102/- to 106/- last week, and for butter 138/- to 144/- as compared with 178/to 182/-. Last year there was a difference in favour of Danish butter of *lO/while this year the margin is reduced to about 12/-. ■Canadian cheese showed 6/- above New Zealand in 1926 and to-day the prices are level. Farmers in the Wanganui district are realising more and more the value of lueerene as a fodder crop, and now that the summer is approaching,and a good growth is being shown, the deep green of lucerne fields may be seen in every direction. ’They promise a tremendous amount of feed. The value of lucerne as a fodder is exemplified by practical examples on the Napier-Havcloek North road. In one paddock where lucerne was grown with grass plots alongside, the former was inches higher than the latter — phenomenal as its growth has been. One small owner informed a representative of a Hawke’s Bay paper who admired his lucerne in the manner in which it was coming away fnat during the winter he got more foodstuffs off a half-aero than lie got off three acres of grass land —the best of its kind. Warmer weather and less wind than has been experienced during the past | week would be welcomed by farmers (says the Southland Times), who are at present busy with the new season’s work. Sheepmen seem to be obtaining good results with little trouble other than daily attention with lambing, whilst dairy farmers have much to engage their attention. Some farmers are making ready to shear their dry sheep, and the bulk of these will piobably be stripped of their fleeces by the end 'of this month or early in November. Oat crops and grasses are now being sown freely. There has not been very much movement in the cheese market this week in Southland, the only transaction of note being the purchase of the Woodend factory’s September-Deeember make by the South Island Dairy Association a; 9d._ Factories that have disposed ; of their early make are now anxious to quit their November-December outputs, but so far no business has resulted.

Bloat, or hoven, is caused by feeding stock upon green, succulent fodder at a time when the stomach is practically empty, or by giving an abundance of gas-producing food before the digestive organs of the animal have been accustomed to dealing with such material.

Investigations indicate that frequent cutting of lucerne in premature stages results in depicted root reserves, which causes slow recovery and rate of growth after cutting, low yields of hay, increased weed infestations, and retarded root growth. Foot-rot is not confined to sheep, but they seem more susceptible to it than cattle. Prevention is best, and this may be secured by keeping the hoof evenly pared, and running the sheep through a shallow trough of bluestone solution (I in 200), or freshly pow’dered lime. A thing that must be kept in mind when giving medicine to cattle is the great strength of their molar or grinding teeth; this makes it necessary when drenching them and using a glass bottle for the liquid or medicine that care must be taken that it is not crushed between the teeth.—“ Live Stock Journal. ’ ’

For success in calf-rearing one must adopt methods which most nearly resemble natural conditions. The young calf’s motto in regard to food is “little and often.” The calf, therefore, should be allowed to remain with its mother for one or two days in a small paddock, -or, better still, it should be penned away from its mother and given access to her two or three times a dav.

The animal system uses salt in the body to make hydrochloric acid, which is used to digest the food, and as the digestion of food is a continuous process, it is necessary that animals must have a small amount of salt every day. Several inquiries have been * made lately for good small properties in Southland, but suitable farms are diffi-

cult to secure at prices favourable to buyers. Sheep country has also been asked for and it is reported that one or two properties have changed hands, but in many cases buyers have not sufficient capital. A recent sale was that of a dairy farm at Lochiel, ICO acres being disposed of at £25 per acre.

' Deporting on the position of the deiiy cattle 'market, a writer in the "Waikato Times” says that there lias been a strong demand for all classes of dairy stock, good dairy herds and choice heifers being eagerly sought after, hundreds of the latter class, principally Jerseys, being brought into the market from Taranaki. The continued slaughter of heifer calves referred to last year has resulted in a serious shortage of heifers to replace cows thrown out from herds through disease and 'other causes. Farmers who had the foresight to realise the situation, and who had reared their heifer calves from tested herds, were adequately recompensed. The position does not seem likely to improve, and with the prospects of a market for veal, may become even worse. Farmers would therefore be well advised to hold their heifer calves for future dairying purposes. A number of important pedigree sales were held during the year, at which a large number of farmer-buyers were present, as distinct from pedigree breeders showing that the advantage of improving herds with pedigree animals is being fully recognised. A good way to administer medicine tu a pig that cannot be induced to eat slop or drink milk is to take an old boot, cut a hole in the toe, insert the toe part in the mouth, and pour medicine in at the top of the leg of the boot.

Sheep numbers in the United States continue to increase steadily. According to an estimate prepared by the Department of Agriculture there were 41,909,000 head on farms and ranges on January 1, 1927, 39,804,000 oh January 1, 1920, and 38,112,000 at the beginning of 192,0.

The Director of Agriculture in Victoria has issued a statement on the wheat position in which he says that the wheat harvest will yield a small exportable surplus or a carry-over and this has been brought about only by the timely rains. Previous to this it looked as though there would not be enough for the State’s requirements. Despite those valuable rains, however, it is stated that no less than a million acres have definitely failed, while there is also a considerable area from which little will be taken. The, harvest al‘l

■ round will be one of the lightest for many years. The position is one that will be of much concern to New Zealand which always looks to securing a ■ large supply from Australia. 1 In the breeding of pedigree cattle. ■ character must remain one of the ■ primary considerations, and in the ■ breeding of all dairy cattle, form, ■ stamina and constitution cannot be ignored. It happens with all breeds that some of the heaviest milkers are in themselves moderate animals judged ■ by every standard except milk production, and it may be claimed that in the dairy herd milk production is almost the only thing that matters. Prolonged and persistent milk production is, however, largely a matter of stamina, stamina again of conformation, and conformation of consistent breeding to one standard. A blind trust in milk records must lead quickly to degeneracy, and prove a handicap rather than assistance. Because it is the object to breed heavy yielders it does not follow that the best results will always be obtained from breeding from those with the greatest yields to their credit. lieguiar spelling of paddocks is urged by men of wide experience as better than any medicine for stomach and intestinal troubles in stock. Parasites which affect stock are thus deprived of their power to do harm. Many of those parasites which affect sheep are harmless to cattle; thus, land which is being spelled from one class of farm animals can meantime be used by ! another. This system is extremely beneficial, also, as regards the pasture, and serve to maintain permanently a sward of mixed grasses in which tne succulent and nourishing varieties have a chance or survival. An air of confidence, says Dalgety’s annual circular, surrounds the opening of the season for wool and everything lends support to the opinion that the coming season will be solid and sound. The improvement in the textile industry in Britain and in other countries, in conjunction with a shortage in Australia leads to a confident feeling all round. The outlook for half-breds and merinos appears sound, and as seasonal conditions have been favourable, these wools should open up showing good colour and growth. Present indications strongly point to the best halfbreds and merinos meeting spirited competition from local null and 1 overseas buyers.

A remarkable example of the success of pertinacious Scottish immigrants in Western Australia was disclosed during a Ministerial tour of the Lake Grace district. Bobert Carruthers and

his two sons, after booking passages for Canada 17 years ago, saw a pamphlet qbout Western Australia, and turned immediately to this State. They trekked with horse and cart to Lake Grace, 250 miles from Perth, and 70 miles beyond the railway terminus. Their boundary pegs were surrounded with huge salmon gums, and the father was only deterred from returning to a job in Scotland by his eldest son’s determination to stay. By June, 1912 they had cleared and sown 160 acres. Then followed the 1913-14 drought, which would have ruined them but for the aid of the State Agricultural Bank —“the greatest institution in the -world,” said Mr. Carruthers. The holdings then prospered, and relatives and friends followed from Scotland. Now Mr. Carruthers, who has a family of 11 children, all married, with sons and daughters, owns 18,000 acres, with more than 200 working horses, 17 harvesters, many sheep, and all the improvements of intelligent farming.