FARMERS’ UNION NEWS AND NOTES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 September 1932, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION NEWS AND NOTES.

SUTTER FOE NORTH OF ENGLAND (Supplied by the Dominion Headquarters) . A pleasing feature of late is the growing popularity of New Zealand dairy produce in the homes of Northern England and Scotland. A total of 252,809 boxes of butter and 91,231 crates of cheese were registered as entering the ports of Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow up to April 30 this year. This compares very favourably with 154,607 boxes and 74,228 crates during the corresponding period last year and represents an increase of more than sixty per cent, in the case of butter and twenty per cent, in the case of cheese. Manchester shipments have more than doubled compared with last year. LICE-INFESTED SHEEP. In reply to a resolution from last executive meeting asking that the regulation re lousy sheep be strictly enforced, the Minister of Agriculture replied that instructions had been issued to the Department's Inspectors not to prosecute in cases where lice-infested sheep were found in salcyards. In view of the present financial stringency, it was deemed that such prosecutions would press unduly hard on a number of sheep-farmers. The position, however, was being closely watched and would be reviewed again before next season, when if it was found that an increase of lice and ticks on flocks had taken place, prosecutions would again be instituted. He pointed out that although nrosecutions had been discontinued, all sheep in a salcyard found to be lice infested were still ordered to be dipped. NEXT ROYAL SHOW AT PALMERSTON. The next Royal Show will bo held in Palmerston North dn 2nd. 3rd end 4th t of November. Owing to the prevailing financial stringency the Government has notified the Royal Agricultural Society that it will be unable to make a grant to the prize funds this year. Last year the Government made a grant of £250 and one of £SOO in 1930. BACON FOR BRITAIN. Britain is importing ' considerably over twice as much bacon as in the years before the war. This figure has risen from 4,787,000 cwts. to 11,138,000 cwts. valued, in 1931 at £33,136,000. Empire supplies represented only a small part—3 per cent —of the total imports. The Eznpire is better off, however, as regards frozen pork, which is finding a steadily growing market. New Zealand is the chief source of supply, Empire or foreign. This trade has developed almost entirely in post-war years. Since 1927, New Zealand had held first place,, but supplies from the Dominion have declined since the peak year of 1929, and the quantity registered in 1931 was 11 per cent, less than in 1930. Australia, on the other hand, increased her 1931 exports to the United Kingdom by 400 per cent, over 1930. PARASITE FOR GRASS GRUB. Among the pests of crops and pastures the most outstanding problem of the. moment is the control of the grass grub. These grubs cause extensive damage to pastures and crops by attacking the roots, while the adult beetle ‘known ,to the farmer as the “turnipfly" causes extensive to turnip and .rape crops, and defoliates many valuable plants. When in Chili, Dr. Miller, of the Cawthron Institute, found a parasite attacking the Chilean grass-grubs, and has imported a supply of this parasite. Research into its effectiveness against New Zealand grass-grubs is now being carried out at the Cawthron Institute, and there is a very good chance qf this parasite being very effective under New Zealand conditions,, since the insect belongs to a group of parasites not present in this country. WHERE BRITAIN’S BUTTER COMES FROM.

Britain’s imports of butter alone were valued at £46,358,000 in 1931 nearly double the amount imported .before the war. New Zealand’s exports of butter to the United Kingdom in 1931 were 24 per cent, greater than in 1930, thus setting up a new record; and New Zealand supplied slightly under one quarter of the total butter imports into .the, United Kingdom. .Denmark held her position in 1931 as Britain’s chief supplier of butter, and sent 31 per cent, of the total imports. Australia increased her exports to the United Kingdom by over 60 per cent, and. sent 19 per cent, of the- total imported supplies. Other Empire countries which increased their exports of butter to the United Kingdom were Canada, South .Africa and Kenya. Russia increased its supplies by 2£ times, and jumped from eighth to fourth place. The volume of Russian imports, however, was still well below pre-war level. Butter prices fell in 1931 by about 13 to 14 per cent, over 1930, and this still further stimulated consumption, which rose by 14 per cent. MILLIONS OF EGGS. Over 3,100,000,000 eggs were consumed in Britain last year. , The volqme of Empire supplies was the largest ever recorded. Denmark is the chief source of imports, sending 29 per cent. of the total from all sources. The New Zealand share in 1931 was only 1,440 eggs. Britain draws her imports of eggs from, altogether, over 30 countries. ■ BRITAIN’S BEST CUSTOMER, Prom recent English papers it is evident that in Danish dairying circles considerable concern is felt at the groyning • popularity ' of : Empire dairy .produce with- the British housewife. Pamphlets arc • being; circulated suggesting that .Denmark is h better potential customer of Britain; than the Dominions,’and while-no objection can be raised against the declared objective', of theseto.lprdmote .the*; sale* of ■ British goods in Danish markfits—it ds; -significant that theJ wholq move is- inspired- by Danish agricultural interests. : The facts are,;bf ? .course, that in 1930 Australia and New Zealand bought £52,*, 000,000 worth ; oigoods, ‘ com* pared with £10,000,000 worth ,bought by Denmark. ' ‘As a put chaser of • British manufactures, one New Zealander is : -worth" six D&nes. REBATE ON RATES, Last year’-a special rebate of 12J

i per cent, was allowed rural ratepayers, who had paid their rates. This rebate totalled £250,000 and was obtained from the Main Highways Fund in order to ease the rural financial strain; investigations made recently show that such a rebate is not likely to be made tins year as the Main Highways Fund will be able to finance only its works of maintenance. In order to. relieve the general ratepayers this year, Par- - liament agreed to a transfer of £500,000 from the Main Highways Fund to the Consolidated Fund. REGISTERING STOCK REMEDIES. In reply to an executive remit asking that all dips should bear an analysis of the contents on their labels, the Minister of Agriculture wrote stating that the analysis of any sheep dip did not in all cases co-ordinate with its effectiveness. For instance, a given dip might contain all the necessary ingredients in their proper proportion for the destruction of external parasites, but if its wetting properties were deficient it would not be effective. At the present time a Stock Remedies Bill, which includes sheep dips, was in preparation, requiring all vendors to register such preparations. It was hoped to include the bill in the programme of legislation to be introduced during the forthcoming session, and if the measure was enacted it would necessitate the disclose of the contents of all such preparations before they could •be registered. CHEESE DISCOLOURATION.

During the past three years experiments have been carried out at the Department of Agriculture’s laboratory at W.allaeeville to ascertain, the bacteriological factors associated with discolouration in cheese. The investigations of Dr. G. M. Moir have clearly demonstrated that .the damage is not due- to moulds—-or. mould spores—incorporated at the time of manufacture, but that it is due .to the entry of mould growth from .the rind subsequent {o manufacture. This has, been repeatedly observed to occur in two ways (1) through badly , sealed trier holes, and f2) through cracked rinds. To eliminate- the first cause preventive measures .were, taken some time ago by using melted paraffin was to seal •trier holes made at. the grading stores. The second means of admitting moulds to the body of the cheese —through .cracked rinds—can be minimised by •careful handling after removing the cheese from the press.- This, however, •does not entirely eliminate the fault •which appears to be produced under certain conditions of manufacture. In recent seasons losses due to discoloured cheese have been serious and Widespread. Two examples may'be cited. One factory had to accept several shillings a cwt. less for a consignment of nearly {2OO .crates. A n °ti ier very large factory experienced so much- trouble due to discolouration that it was advised last •season to turn over, to butter. During the present season remedial measures as suggested above have enabled this factory to continue making cheese, and only a few isolated complaints about discolouratioii' have ' bdett ; received. * . MARKETING PORK. . . A ipig industry' advisory committee mp to advise the Department pf. Agriculture regarding the marketing of pork, , At' the initial meeting ■on 14th j[u|y Df. J. Reakes and Messrs A. H. Cpc&tyne, J. Lyons, K. •W. Gorrjlnge. (Department of Agriculture); J. Fraser, G. G: ’Smith (N.Z.

Meat Producers’ Board); W. A. Phillips (N.Z. Co-op. Pig Marketing Association); C. Hausmann (N.Z. Bacon Curers’ Association); S. A. Ferguson (N.Z. Farmers’ Union), J. A. Bussell (N.Z. Pig Breeders’ Association); E. E. Hale (Waikato Pig Eecording Club) ; M. J. Scott (Canterbury Agricultural College); J- N. McLinden (Massey Agricultural College) and F. B. Callaghan (Department of Scientific and Industrial Beseareh) were present. * Two of the major questions ‘ being ■considered are the grading and marketing (local and foreign.) of pork. The marked discrepancy between the prices' by farmers and the prices charged consumers is well worthy of the (Strictest investigation. Local consumption wbuld be considerably increased if the consumers’ prices were more reasonable.