FARMING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 4 June 1937, Page 5

FARMING NEWS.

RURAL RAKINGS. Although wet weather is retarding work on North Auckland dairy farms, the growth of pastures is exceptional for this time of the year. Grass in plentiful everywhere, particularly on top-dressed areas. Stock are in good condition also, and everything points to another record dairying season. The Whangarei Co-operative Dairy Company this iscnson has easily broken all previous records in produtcion. 'J’hc make at the factory for the past 11 months has been 3082 tons lOcwt against 2754 tons 12cwt for the corresponding period last season, an increase of nearly 328 tons. The output, for May was 131 torus, compared with 108 tons for tho came month in 1936. Romney Marsh sheep breeders in New Zealand had a record export trade in 1936 when 1348 sheep were sent ' overseas —727 rains and 621 females. Russia took 1165 head. Since the breed association was formed in 1895, nearly 20,000 Romney Marsh sheep have been exported. Exports in 1929, the second best year, numbered 1193. Last year Argentina took 112 head. Early winter rains throughout _ New South Wales have been very disappointing, and in many parts of tho State there will he a shortage of water and feed for stock unless rain falls within a few wcekt. Wbcatgrowers generally are somewhat apprehensive, although the position is not yet desperate. An interesting method of gathering clover seed in Australia was mentioned yesterday by Mr L. W. Gorman in n lecture at the annual gathering of sheep farmers at Massey College. He showed several slides of various raking methods and mentioned that another was to harrow the ground to loosen it up and then a roller was run over it, covered with sheepskin, the wool outward. The wool gathered up the clover burrs (remaining from tho flowers and holding the seeds), and ns the roller went round the burrs were combed out and saved. Evidence of a continued change over from dairy cattle to sheep is generally held to bo provided bv tho large number of clearing sates being held in _ various parts of the Auckland province. Dispersals arc being arranged on an unusually extensive scale, but a feature of tho sacs already held is that dairy cattle have fully maintained their values. In spite of this, the interest in sheep appears to be nioro marked than ever. , General approval of the operation ot tho Export Marketing Act in its relation to dairy produce is expressed in the annual report of the South Island Dairy Association. which will be presented to the annual meeting of that body in Dunedin on Juno 10. On the subject of guaranteed prices the report reserves its judgment on the ground that it is too early yet to determine whether its effect, on the dairy industry has been beneficial or otherwise. The report states that so far as the actual marketing of the produce is concerned the association is of the opinion that the system which is now followed is a decided improvement on past methods.