FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1932, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

the PIG INDUSTRY

BREEDERS’ AND EATTENERS’ ; COLUMN.

■ ,s apparent that the aims and olv n S 1 ° *'”° oca l Manawatu-Oroua Pig Dovolopmont and Recording Club are .1 akl j? ar J appeal to farmers throughout to district. In addition to carrying out uiQ work usually understood to como under the heading of pig recording, the club has extended tho scope of its operations to cmDraco what may bo termed a farm test for pork production. This wider field of activity should serve to indicate the ability of tno iarmer to mako tho pig section of his business fully commensurate with his opportunities when systematically conducted in conjunction with dairying. A considerable number of farmors in and around 7 almcrston North have already signified their willingness to put their farms under test, and it is encouraging to learn that requests have been mado from several outlying districts for information and the possibilities of being included in the scope of operations.

response to an invitation from Shannon, Mr W. J. Croucher, recording officer, visited that contro on a recent evening and was mot by about twenty-five •armors at a meeting presided over by Mr R. Tippler. Tho speaker gave a most comprehensive icutlino of pig recording and the need for serious, widespread interest being taken by dairy farmers in the industry. In emphasising the prominent part which should bo occupied by systematic pig breeding and fattening, the speaker pointed out that pig keeping was not a sideline to dairy_ farming; it was a dual business with dairying, and it was asserted that not till tho pigs on tho farm wero of equal importance to the cows would tho real profit from. pig. keeping bo obtained, either by the individual, or as a national asset. Mr Croucher quoted figures to support the contention, that under reasonably good management it was possible to breed and rear pigs which would provide for lOOlbs of pork flosh to bo marketed for every cow in tho herd. As it was essential in dairying that the cost of butterfat production must be reduced to tho lowest possible point, it might bo plainly seen how important it was to utilise every avenue to lower costs and to increase not profits. “The adoption of mothods that reduce tho cost of butterfat production are therefore of national importance," said the speaker. “Better grass and better cows are factors m cost reduction, the value of which is well recognised, by dairy farmers, and their integration into dairying practice is rapidly becoming general. One important factor of equal importance in reducing butterfat costs, namely full and efficient utilisation of skim milk and whey in the production of pork, is not recognised at its true worth. The pig properly managed is in dairying equally as important as are good pastures and good cows, and tho .present and future economic position of butterfat production demands that the pig must be made to take its rightful position in New Zealand dairying in reducing the 1 cost of production." In support of his remarks, Mr Croucher quoted from a circular that has been issued over tho signatures of Messrs W. Grounds and A. H. Cockayne, members of the Pig Industry Advisory Committee, which stated that pig production in connection with dairying is lagging too far behind modern requirements to enable it to be a potent factor in reducing butterfat costs, as can be shown by the position as it exists and as it should bo. At the present time some 301 bof pork is produced per dairy cow in New Zealand, and the return is less than id per lb of butterfat produced. On dairy farms where rational pig management is adopted, well over lOOlbs of pork per cow are produced, and the returns even at present prices exceed 2d per lb of butterfat. In other words, New Zealand dairying is producing less than one-third of the amount of pork that it is capable of economically producing, and the righting of this position is clearly of great importance in the proper organisation of New Zealand dairying.

The position as it is: 1 sow to 25 cows. 301 b of pork per cow. 101 b of pork per acre. Tho position as it should be: 1 sow to 8 cows. 1201 b of pork per cow. 401 b of pork per acre.

The position as it should l>o is actually less than the regular performance of those farmers who have realised that increasing the numbey of pigs kept and managing them efficiently pays. It is the objective of the Pig Advisory Committee to so stimulate interest that all dairy farmers incorporate into their farm management rational pig production. leading directly to a lessening of the costs of butterfat production. Plenty of good grass, plenty of good cows, and plenty of good pigH represent the structural framework of economically sound dairying. Tho influence of the dairy companies on the good grass and good cow movements has been conspicuous, and onco they rocognise that tho pig is an essential integral feature in lowering butterfat costs their influence in tho direction of the good pig movement must la? equally effective. At the conclusion of his address, Mr Croucher more fully explained the details which were sought for in the farm test whereby it is expected to obtain some reliable data which reflects what is now being done on the average farm in the way of pork productions. A number of those present signified their willingness to eo-operato under tho supervision of the governing executive. The work under notice is being conducted out of tho subsidy provided by the Meat Producers’ Board and every effort is being made by the club to secure the greatest possible results that Can be obtained with the sum available.

In all probability, interested groups of dairy farmers in other localities may wish to co-operate in this matter which will be to their mutual advantage and assist in furthering the objects of a movement which is being earnestly conducted in the general interests of the industry.

DAIRY PRODUCE.

MARKETS WEAKER.

A further weakening tendency in the London markets for butter and cheese is reported in the latest cablo messages. On Tuesday, New Zealand finest grade butter reached tho low level of 84s, first grade being Is less. Thero was also a decline in cheese prices. Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., have received the following cabled advice from London: New Zealand butter, finest, 84s per cwt.; first, 83s. Now Zealand cheose: White and coloured, 61s per cwt. Both market report from London dated DocemTho New Zealand Producers’ Co-opera-tive Marketing Association’s weekly cabled market report from L ondon dated December 6 is as follows: —Butter: Market quiet. New Zealand finest grade, 84s; first grade, 83s; Danish, 120 s. Cheese: Market slow. Now Zealand, white 60s to 61s, coloured 61s to 625; Canadian, white and coloured, 65s to 68s.

THE WOOL MARKET,

WELLINGTON SALE ON SATURDAY. OFFERING OF 29,586 BALES. WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. Wellington’s first wool sale of tho 193253 season will be held on Saturday, when a catalogue of 29,586 bales will be offered. This quantity is very close up to the limit of 30,000 bales fixed by a the New Zoaland Wool Committee, and compares with an offering of 22,219 bales at tho first sale of last season. Most of tho buyers have arrived from Napier, and will bo busily engaged in valuing tho offering in brokers’ stores. Saturday’s offerings in the order of sale are as follow: Murray, Roberts and Co. and Johnston and Co., 4646 bales; Levin and Co., Ltd., 7898; N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., 3134; N.Z. Farmors’ Co-op. Distributing Co., 3655; Wairarnpa Farmers’ Co-op. Assn., 1460; Wright, Stephenson, and Abraham and Williams, 3407; Dalgety and Co., 5386; total, 29,586 bales.

It is expected that the values of tho better qualities offered on Saturday will be fully firm on Napier prices. It is reported that much of tho new season’s offerings are of good quality, much of the fleece wool being woll grown and of greater weight. Buyers will leave Wellington late on Saturday night for Christchurch,- where a full-limit catalogue will be sold next Wednesday.

SYDNEY WOOL SALES.

EXCELLENT COMPETITION.

SYDNEY, Dec. 7. At tho wool sales •• to-day 12,402 bales were offered, of which 11,662 wore sold at auction, 366 being disposed of privately. Under excellent competition there wore good clearances and prices were very firm. Greasy Merino made up to 19id.

N.Z. LAMB AND MUTTON,

RETAIL PRICES IN LONDON.

The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has been advised by its London manager that the following retail prices wore being quoted for New Zealand lamb and mutton retailed in London during November, 1932. These prices represent a fair average of the prices quoted by the better class shops in London for the best quality N.Z. lamb and mutton. New Zealand lamb: Logs 9d per lb, shoulders Bd, loins 7d, necks 2d, breasts 2d, forequarters 6d, hindquarters New Zealand mutton (wethers) : Legs 7d, shoulders 6d, loins 6d, necks 3d, breasts 2d.

MEAT INDUSTRY.

COMPULSORY LEVY ADVOCATED IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

The Graziers’ Association of New South Wales has been giving special attention for some months to the question of improving the organisation of the meat industry, with a view to securing profitable returns to the primary producers and placing the industry on a sounder footing. A report* from a meat sub-committee to the last meeting of the general council of tho association included tho following:— “Meat production at present prices and under present conditions is unprofitable. There are two ways in which the producer can be assisted. Firstly, by a reduction in costs up to the time tho meat is distributed to the consumer, and, secondly, by obtaining higher prices for tho article when sold.

“The first condition is of necessity difficult owing to our form of Government and industrial conditions, and tho process must be gradual. We must, however, continue to press for some relief in this respect. The 6econd condition may be brought about by: (a) Emulating New Zealand and Argentina by improving tho quality and grading of our export meat, and by efficient organisation, control and advertising at home and abroad, (b) Taking steps to hold the level of fat stock prices in our home markets at full export or. local consumption levels. We believe that the only people who can carry out these proposals are tho stock producers themselves, but they must bo efficiently organised, and must bo supported by ample funds.

“Under present conditions, it seems that the necessary funds can be obtained only by a compulsory levy on all sheep and cattle within the State.”

The general- council adopted this portion of tho sub-committee’s report. It was also resolved that legislative sanction be sought for a levy of Ojd on all sheep, with a.n exemption of all flocks of 500 and under, and Id per head on all cattle, with an exemption of 100 head or under, to bo assessed on the Pastures Protection Board returns, and collected by them.

A resolution, reading that. “It is an urgent necessity that rail freights on fat sheep travelling to market should bn reduced by 25 per cent.,” was carried. It was also resolved to ask that the freight on meat from country killing works bo reduced by 25 per cent., and the freight on ewes consigned to boiling down works be reduced by 50 per cent.

FARMING NEWS.

RURAL RAKINGS.

Messrs L. B. Wall (Kairanga) and R. Tanner (Longburn) have been appointed to judge the Southdown and Romney March and Lincoln classes at the Pahiatua Show.

The dairy factories have now reached their peak production period, and it is not likely that intakes at any factories will show any increase on the present supply. An extraordinary increase in the milk supply has occurred this season, un'd many factories have found it necessary to increase their capacity by installing additional vats, these installations having been found necessary since the commencement of the season in some cases.—Otago Daily Times. In view of the declining popularity of tho big carcassed sheep, the Lincoln Longwoolled Sheep Association of England has removed the restriction whereby no registered breeder of Lincoln sheep is allowed to have a ram of another breed on his farm. This does not imply the elimination of the pure breed famous for its long, lustrous fleece, but it allows the broeder, while still reserving what portion of his pure flock he desires for pedigree registration, to put out his remaining ewes to rams of other breeds for commercial ends. While there has been a small percentage of losses of lambs in some districts due to pulpy kidney, the lambs as a whole have dono very well this season, and promise to make up'in numbers what deficiencies there may bo in price (says a southern paper). The London market has shown an advance for spot sales from sfd to 7d per lb for light prime quality, offering a more cheerful indication for local growers if it can be accepted as worth unything. Should the market continue firm at tho present time the prospects for tho coming season will be much better than have been expected from recent market quotations, but local exporters explain that there is a shortage of the very prime quality lambs in London, and this accounts for the better tone apparent at the present time. Most cases of scour are caused by insufficiently frequent feeding or by irregularity in tho quantity and quality of the food supplied. If dealt with at once, scourcan usually be easily cured. The common plan of administering astringent materials is. wrong in principle, and cannot effect a permanent cure. The real cause cf ordinary scour is indigestion, the scornbeing simply an attempt on the part of the calf’s digestive system to get rid of material of which it cannot mako use, and the rational system of treatment is to help the calf to clear this out. No treatment, however, will be satisfactory if the calf is allowed to become really ill before it is appied. In such a case the animal usually thrives badly afterwards, even if it makes some sort of recovery at tho time.

THE STOCK MARKET.

ADDINGTON SALE. LAMB BRICES DECLINE WITH HEAVY ENTRY. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 7. A heavy fat lamb entry and a sharp fall in values, bringing them to parity with export schedule rates, was a feature of tho Addington market to-day. The sforo sheep ontry was tho smallest for months, and no importance attached to the auction.

Fat Lambs. —An ontry of 3700 head, tho largest of tho season. Tho freezing works were ablo to compote for tho first time, as values were equal to or below export schedule. The opening rato was 4jd a pound for 2’s, tho avorago price ruling being 4£d. Tho decline, compared with last* week, was 2s to 2s 6d a head. Tho top price was 15s 4d. Fat Sheep.—An entry of 4000 head. A good salo, with a general advanco of Is a head, exporters operating for a small number only. Extra prime heavy wOjtiers sold to 15s 7d; prime heavy, 13s to~i4s; prime medium-weight, 11s to 12s 9d; cidb nary and light, 8s 6d to 10s 6d; prime heavy ewes, to 14s 4d; prime hcilvy, 10s 9d to 12s 6d; prime medium-weight; Bs, 9s to 10s 6d; ordinary and 6d to 8s 6d. j Fat Cattle.—An entry of 380 head, {fiycluding southern consignments. ValtySs were practically unchanged. Best beef made up to 21s per 1001 b, and in odd instances to 22s 6d; good prime beef, 17s to 19s; heavy, 15s to 17s; ordinary, to 12s; and rough down to 9s. Extra prime heavy steers sold to £lO 12s 6d; prime hoavy, £6 10s to £9; mediumwoight prime, £5 ,10s to £7; ordinary quality, £3 16s to £5 ss; light, £2 to £3 10s; extra prime heifers, to £8 12s 6d ; prime, £4 5s to £6; medium, £3 to £4; light, to £2 15s; extra prime cows, to £7 2s 6d; prime, £3 to £5; medium,_ £2 5s to £3; light, £1 5s to £2. Fat Pigs.—A medium ontry. Lato ratos wero maintained. Choppers mado 30s to 48s 6d; baconers, 31s 6d to 37s 6d; heavy, 42s 6d to 47s 6d; extra heavy, to 54s 6(1 (avorago price a pound; to 4d) ; porkers, 19s 6d to 23s 6d; heavy, 25s 6d to 28s 6d (average price a pound, 3£d to 4d).

JOHNSONVILLE SALE.' SHEEP PRICES STEADY. WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. Sheep prices were steady, but good lambs wore cheaper at Johnsonville salo yesterday. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., and Abraham and Williams, Ltd., offered a ful yarding of all classes of stock. Cattle wero again dul of sale, particularly heavyweight bullocks, which were hard to quit, tho demand running more on lighter sorts. Wethers and ewes showed no alteration in prices as compared with lostw_ eck’s rates, but good lambs declined a shilling to one and sixpence per head, while inferior lambs mot with no demand.

Cattlo.—Prime extra heavy bullocks, £6 11s, £6 10s, £6 9s 6d, £6 Bs, £6 7s 6d, £6 7s, £6ss, £6 4s to. £6. Cows and heifers, £3 12s, £3 11s, £3 Is to £2 15s. Extra good runners, 219 s, £2 15s, £2 10s to £1 19s. Vcalers, £1 14s, £1 13s, £1 10s, £1 8s 6d, £1 Bs, £1 7s. Sheep.—Prime extra heavy wethers, 12s 6d, 12s 4d. 12s. Us 6d. Medium wethers, 11s, 10s lid, 10s 6d, 10s, 9s 6d. Prime heavy ewes, 8s 4d. 8s 3d, Bs, 7s 9d, 7s 6d, 7s 5d to 7s. Heavy hoggets, 12s 6d, 12s, Us 6d, Us, 10s 6d. Heavy spring lambs, 12s 6d, 12s, 11s 9d, 11s 6d, 10s 9d to 10s. Spring lambs, 9s 6d, 9s Id, 9s, 8s 7d, 8s 6d, 8s 3d. Light spring lambs, 7s 6d, 7s 4d, 7s to ss.

ASHHURST SALE.

Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report on their Ashhurst Sale held yesterday as under:—We submitted just a small yarding of dairy cattle, yearling and 2-year Jersey bulls and a 'few pens of pigs. Quotations : Daily cows close to profit, £4 to £5 2s 6d; yearling Jersey bulls, 10s, 255, 30s, 355; 2-yr. Jersey bulls, £2 to £2 155.; forward conditioned eows, 30s to 355. Pigs: Slips, 12s, 12s 6d, 13s, 13s 6d to 14s.

HAWKE’S BAY SALE.

HASTINGS, -Dec. 7. At Stortford Lodge to-day thero was a small yarding of 140 head of cattle. Prices for prime lightweight ox beef were on a parity with export prices, namely, 14s per 1001 b; heavyweight, 12s; prime heifer beef, to 13s -6d. Bullocks: Extra prime heavy, £7 2s 6d; prime heavy, £5 10s to £6; prime light, £4 11s to £5 7s 6d. Store cattlo : 3-year P.A. steers, well bred, good condition, £3 6s; 2-year P.A. steers, well-grown line, £2 7s; 15-month Jersey heifers, £2 15s.

Fat sheep: An average yarding of 2000 head with a much larger entry of lambs than usual. Tho quality of tho latter on the whole was not equal to previous sales. Owing to the increased numbers prices wero easier than last week for all classes of lambs.

WESTFIELD SALE.

Per Press Association.

AUCKLAND, Dec. 7. There was a fuller yarding of beef at Westfield fat stock sale to-day, and values, except for finest modium-weight sorts, failed fo sustain the slight rise registered last week. Extra choice ox sold to 17s per 1001 b; choice and prime ox, 15s to 16s; secondary and plain ox, 12s to 14s; prime young cow and heifer beef, 14s to 16s; ordinary cow beef, 7s to 12s.

Tho yarding of sheep was rather lighter, the bulk of tho offering being fat ewes of fairly good quality. Prices generally wero firm at late rates. Prime wettiers made 10s to 14s; unfinished wethers, 7s to 9s; prime ewes, 6s to 12s 6d; unfinished, 4s to 5s 9d; hoggets, 7s 6d to 11s 6d; prime lambs, 9s to 14s; unfinished, 6s 6d to 8s 6cl.

Fat pigs were in full supply. The demand was firm, and a steady salo resulted for all classes. Choppers made 20s to 555; heavy prune bacoiiers, 42s to 475; medium, 36s to 41s; light, 32s to 355; heavy porkers, 28s to 31s; medium, 25s to 275; light, 15s to 245; slips, 11s to 13s; weaners, 4s to 10s.

BURNSIDE SALE.

IMPROVED VALUES.

Per Press Association.

- DUNEDIN, Dec. 7. There was an improvement in values at Burnsido stock sale to-day. Choice'ox beef sold at an advance of about 10s per head. Lambs showed a rise of 2s, and pigs several shillings per head. There was little change in the prices obtained for sheep. In a yarding of 272 head of fat cattle, only three pens of prime bullocks were included. The rest of the penning consisted of medium quality bullocks and a largo number of cows. Choice ox beef was worth 225, extra heavy 20s, heifers 20s, and cows 17s 6d per 1001 b. The store cattle entry includod a good line of about 100 steer's and a number of aged cows. The steers sold at from £4 to £5. About 2000 sheep wore forward. Heavy shorn wethers sold at 14s, and wethers in wool from 15s to 16s 6d. Ewes brought from 10s to 12s. A smaller yarding of lambs than usual included a fair number of prime lightweights! The sale opened at an advance of Is per head on last week’s market values. This rise continued until the last three races were reached, when another Is was placed on tho values. Choice hoavy lambs sold from 14s 9d to 15s 9d, and tho balance averaged 13s 6d per head. The prices • realised for the whole yarding were equal to about 4Jd per lb.

WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGE

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS AND PRICES. Extreme dullness marked tho stock and share market yesterday, prices again showing a weaker tendency. There was a fair inquiry for Government securities. Tho 5£ per cents., 1937, wore unchanged at £97, with no response from holders. The only other demand wa sfor the 4j per cents., 19 30and 1938, which weakened another 10s to £92 10s. Again there was no demand for local body debentures. Banks were very dull. A slight improvement was seen in New Zealand ordinaries, which sold at 43s 3d and 435, cum. dividend. Closwero at 42s 9d, sellers asking 43s 3d. Sellers of Union of Australia cased to £7 12s. National of Australasia, £lO paid, wero unchanged at £lO ss. Tho only inquiry in tho financial section was i on o Morts, which eased 3d, to 20s 9d. Thero was slightly more intercst in gas shares, Christchurch being a shado easier at 24s 3d. In tho insurance section there was a bid for A.P.A.’s at ss, holders asking 6s 9d. Sellers of Quccns™nc* insurance weakened to 47s 9d, and South British wero available at 545, a decline of Is 6d. The demand for meat, shippmg, woollen, timber, brewery and miscellaneous shares was almost lifeless. Gear Meat eased to a sale at 295, and more wero offering at that price. N.Z. Breweries were unchanged at 255, cum. dividend. Colonial -Sugars were 5s hotter at £46 ss, laying at £47 10s.. Woolworths preference, firmed 6d to 27s 6d. Coldnnnmg shares were in active demand oa lirn ?i ra^oS - Waihis hardened 4d to 19s sellers asking 19s sd. Consolidateds, wero again wanted at 9s, but sellers moved up to 10s.

YESTERDAY’S QUOTATIONS.

Buying and selling quotations at yesterday s final call on tho Wellington Stock Exchange were as follow:

N.Z, GOVT. LOANS— Buyers. £ s. d. 44 p.c. Bonds, 1939 9? 10 0 H p.c. ditto, 1938 92 10 0 93 15 0 p.c. ditto, Fob, 1937 97 0 0 54 p.c. ditto Sep.. 1937 97 0 0 oi p.c. ditto, 1933 99 5 0 44 p.c. ditto, 1939 ... 92 10 0 44 p.c. ditto, 1938 ... . 92 10 0 93 10 0 54 p.c. ditto, 1936 98 0 0 54 p.c. ditto, Son. 1937 99 5 0 DEBENTURESPalmerst.on N. 6 d c 1945 Makerua Drainage, 6 p.c — 99 10 0 1946 96 0 0 Christchurch Drainage, 04 P.c., 1965 — Waitonio E.P. Bd„ 6 n.c. 97 10 0 1961 ... 99 10 0 Wellington Gas Co. ... BANKS— 99 5 0 Australasia 9 7 6 Comm, of Aunt., ord. — 0 14 0 -Nat. of Australasia, £10 puid L 10 5 0 Now South Wales ... |27 10 0 New Zealand *2 2 9 2 3 3 Ditto, long term *19 0 Union of Aust 7 12 0 FINANCIALEquitable Building ... — 4 10 0 Goldsbrough, Wort ... 10 9 — N.Z. Guar. Corn., ord. — 0 5 2 Well. Invest., T. & A. — 0 7 9 Well. llep. and Mort. — 0 8 0 GAS— Auckland . . 1 1 0 Ditto, contrib 0 15 0 Christchurch 14 3 — Ditto, contrib 0 11 0 Wellington, ord — 1 10 0 Ditto, prof 0 18 3 INSURANCE— A us. Prov. Assce. 0 5 0 0 6 9 Queensland — t2 7 9 South British — 2 14 0 MEAT PRESERVING— Gear — 1 9 0 TRANSPORT— Union Steam, pref. ... 1 0 7 — WOOLLEN— Wellington, ord — 5 6 6 TIMBER— Bartholomew ' — 0 12 0 Kauri 0 11 0 — Leyland-O’Brien . — 1 0 0 National — 0 7 0 Taringamutu — 0 5 0 BREWERIES— Carlton — 1 13 9 N.Z. Breweries *15 0 1 6 0 Staples and Co — 1 3 0 Ml St KLLANEOUS — British Tobacco, ord. — *1 10 6 Burns. Pliilp — 2 5 0 Colonial Sugar 46 5 0 47 10 0 Dominion Investments 110 — N.Z. Drug — 3 0 0 Farmers’ Fertiliser ... — 0 15 0 Well. Queen’s Theatre — 1 1 6 Woolworths, pref 17 6 — OILMoturoa — 0 4 3 Taranaki 0 2 0 — MINING— Alexander, contrib. ... — *1 2 3 Blaekwater — 1 4 0 Consol. Goldfields 0 9 0 0 10 0 Golden Dawn 0 5 0 — King Solomon 0 2 3 — Mount Lyoll *0 19 8 1 0 2 Paddy’s Point 0 5 0 — Waihi 0 19 2 0 19 5 Big River — 0 1 2 Nokoinai 0 5 9 — Golden Sands 0 2 1 — *Cum. dividend. +Ex dividend.