Farm and Station

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 56, 18 February 1935, Page 11

Farm and Station

FARMING PEAT Example at Rukuhia WAIKATO PERFORMANCE An object lesson in industry and a striking example of the potentialities of the generally-despised peat swamp land in the Waikato is provided by the experience of two brothers, Messrs C. and J- Tomin, who farm a 20(1acre property at Rukuhia. In little more than 10 years they have transformed their holding from a desolate waste to an improved grassland farm. The transformation effected is in strong contrast with the unproductive wilderness which fringes the land broken in by the two brothers. There are tremendous tracts of undeveloped peat swamp throughout the Waikato which, the experience of the Tomin brothers adequately proves, can be brought into remunerative cultivation in a comparatively short space of time.

Ten years ago the Tomin property was for the most part similar to that which extends for miles between Rukuhia and Pirongia. After preliminary burning the area was disced and sown with a suitable seed mixture, which was allowed to remain for three years. The land was then ploughed and resown with a mixture of permanent grasses. During the first three years probably the principal advantage was obtained from the intensive grazing of cattle, which consolidated and prepar ed the land for superior grasses.

Illustrative of the fertility to which the waste has been brought, are the crops of turnips produced. Two heavy yields are obtained from the same area annually; the second crop being sown directly the first has been fed out. Notwithstanding the unusually dry conditions which have prevailed this season, the turnip yield has been little affected and the roots are stir prisingly largo.

During the dry spell the herd has been fed regularly on the turnips and it is significant that the milk production has been reduced only by a third, while that on neighbouring farms has uropped to about half of its flush level. Although usually associated with taint in milk the roots, as a result of judicious feeding, have had nothing but beneficial effect on the milk supply. Liberal fertilising has also played its part in bringing the land into cultivation. Other root crops have thrived on the land. Only a year or two ago the two brothers were successful in winning the principal local show awards with mangels. One specimen of the yellow globe variety weighed 44jlb. BONE TAINT Development in Meat EFFECT OF PASTURE Considerable loss in beef sent to the freezing works for export is caused through the development of ‘‘bone taint” in the meat. The origin of this trouble has been shrouded in mystery, and many theories are held regarding its cause, says a northern writer. Following investigation by research workers at present interesting themselves in this problem, the farmer is likely to obtain definite and useful information in the near future. Already Dr Bowie, of Gisborne, who has in the past done useful work in connection with animal diseases, lias offered suggestions which he considers would minimise the trouble. He expresses his conviction that badly-drained and foul pasturage is the cause of bone taint. As a corrective he advises the liming of all yards, gate entrances, shelters and camping grounds, presumably as an additional safeguard to the efficient drainage of damp and sour areas where cattle are grazed.

HESSIAN FLY Ravages to Wheat Crops TROUBLE IN CANTERBURY It has been reported that there is a good deal of Iftssian fly in the wheat io South Canterbury, and the Wheat Research Institute states that although the Hessian fly has not been very troublesome of recent years, it at one time did considerable damage in various parts of Canterbury. A great deal of wheat damage due to other causes is often ascribed to the Hessian fly, but this insect is really very easily recognised, and is not very difficult to control. It causes the straw to bend and frequently to break at about the second knot from the ground, and if the trouble is caused by the Hessian fly, the little brown chrysalis can always be found between the sheath and the straw at the position of the injury. The chrysalis is about the size, shape and colour of a half a grain of linseed, and therefore is in England called the flax seed-larva. Since at the harvest time all the Hessian fly is in this stage, and all in one part of the crop, it is fairly easily dealt with. The procedure is to cut the stubble on the long side so as to leave all the flax seed larva in the stubble and then burn the stubble. If the stubble is cut short great numbers of the larva are carried away in the straw, and can usually be found among the wheat seeds underneath the threshing mill. Of course, if the wheat has been sown down in grass, burning becomes impracticable. Burn ing the stubble, while not an advantage from all points of view, has several things to recommend it, as. in addition to being a control of the Hessian fly, it is also an assistant in con trolling ‘‘Take all.”

LIVE STOCK VALUES Trend On Dominion Markets NO MARKED CHANGES No very marked changes in prices were seen at last week's live stock sales. At Addington there were large entries, mainly due to the dry weather. Good fat ewes and wethers maintained late rates, but inferior ewes were down 1/- to 1/6 a head. At Auckland there was a shortage of fat cattle, and under brisk competition last week’s advanced rates were held. Sheep were in short supply, and this sent prices up about I/- a head. A short yarding of cattle at Hastings caused an improvement in prices of up to 20/- a head. A small yarding of sheep had the effect of forcing prices of ewes up 2/- to 3/a head. ADDINGTON. Entries were heavy in all classes of stock at Addington due to the dry weather forcing into the market supplies which ordinarily would bo kept on the farm for further fattening. Store sheep, mostly old ewes, were easier. Good ewes sold 2/- better. Fat lambs maintained last week’s values. Fat wethers and best ewes maintained recent values, but inferior ewes were easier by 1/- to 1/6. Fat cattle, mostly of indifferent quality, were down by 10/- a head. MASTERTON. A considerable rise in the price of lambs was noticed at the weekly Masterton sale, when there was only a small entry submitted. Fat sheep sold easily at late rates, and other sorts also met a good market, this in all probability being due to the favourable weather experienced in the district during the past day or so. A few cattle, pigs and horses were also submitted, and these met with fairly keen competition. BURNSIDE. There were large entries of beef and mutton at the Burnside sale. The entry of fat cattle comprised for the most part medium quality bullocks, with a larger percentage of heavy cattle than has been forward for some time. There was a slack demand throughout, prices depreciating 10/per head. The entry of fat sheep included a large proportion of heavy ewes, with heavy wethers in a minority. The market for heavy sheep had a distinctly easing tendency and values eased from 1/- to 1/6 per head and all lighter sorts dropped 1/-. Fat lambs made late rates. In the store cattle section lower values had to be accepted. JOHNSONVILLE. Prime heavy bullocks met with keen competition, there being little demand for medium weight and unfinished sorts at Johnsonville. Prime heavy cows and heifers sold at late rates. Plain sorts were slightly easier. There was a small yarding of wethers consisting of a few pens of heavy sheep, the balance being made up of lightweight sheep. Prime heavy wethers were slightly firmer, medium and light sold at late rates. There was a smaller yarding of heavyweight ewes, which met with a good demand at an increase of 6d. to 1/- per head on last week. WESTFIELD. There was again less than an average yarding of beef at the Westfield sale, the quality being well up to standard. In consequence of the shortage competition was brisk and last week’s advanced prices were fully sustained. Cows and heifers were more plentiful, and well-finished sorts sold freely at values which were very firm at late rates. Sheep were in short supply, the recent dry spell being felt by graziers. Practically no heavy prime wethers were offered, and the general quality of the yarding was only fair. Competition was keen and values improved by about 1/- a head on last week’s sale. A smaller entry of fat lambs was barely sufficient for butchers’ requirements. Demand was good and there was again a marked improvement in values. Store lambs were also disposed of readily at late rates. STORTFORD LODGE. A smaller entry of 114 fat cattle met an improved market lor cowsand heifers, values rising about £1 a head, while bullocks appreciated to a lesser degree at Stortford Lodge. Competition was well maintained throughout the sale. Store cattle, numbering 150 comprised principally forward bullocks which sold well. A* short yarding of fat sheep sold very well, ewes appreciating from 2/- to 3/- a head while wethers and lambs improved slightly. Local buyers did the bulk of the purchasing. Store sheep sold at improved rates for breeding sheep, with lambs and wethers also making better prices. WAIPUKURAU. Late rates obtained on all classes of the stock at the Waipukurau sale.