FARMING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 116, 17 April 1939, Page 5

FARMING NEWS.

RURAL RAKINGS. SHEEP RESIST CONDITIONS. Sheep in the AVairarapa are said to be doing remarkably well despite continued drv weather, but farmers are not able to do much in the way ot fattening. It is not expected that the weather will seriously affect the wool clip unless it continues for another month. Livestock in Kenya.

The annual report, of the Kenya 'Veterinary Department states that- 124 head o purebred cattle and 218 sheep were imported to the colony during 1937. Ot the latter. 174 were Merinos. Exports of wool amounted to 13.898 centals, valued at £52,633 compared with 13,026 centals, valued at £44,174, in the previous year. the wool sold in London at up to 17*d per lb. tbe average price for best fleece wool being 16d. Remarkable Steer.

At Chelmsford Market, England, four brothers named Bolton bought a. huge Irish Shorthorn steer and, with an eye to making him into a money-making zoological specimen, fattened him to the him . Standing 18 hands high. lift, round and 12ft.. from muzzle to tail setting, this ox is now claimed to be the biggest in the world and the heaviest steer shown m England for 140 years. When the ox was weighed It turned the scales at 28cwt. Iqi. 31b.. 30 people estimating the correct weight. In five days, at the Smit.hfichi Show, this beast netted £3o<3 odd foi his owners and the Smithficld Club.

Wheat Crops. Following tbe extremes of weather experienced in the sowing and growing season, the returns of wheat threshing in the AA'aimate district show wide fluctuations. Rome of the crops have proved outstanding, while others are verv poor. On the average, however, good vields are not general. One -notable crop was that of Mr J. L. Faulkner, of AA'illowbrige. The yield when threshed averaged Si bushels to the acre over 67 acres. A smaller crop, threshed at Morvcn. went as high as IDO bushels to the acre. On the other band, one farmer got a return of JO bushels to the acre.

Barley-Growers’ Troubles. The difficulty experienced by Marlborough farmers in finding a market for the total of 6000 sacks of food barley, which it was estimated was in the district this season, was commented upon at a meeting of the provincial executive ot the Farmers’ Union. It was stated that the importation of Australian “ ar '’s' made it impossible for the local farmer to find a market in the North Island. A suggestion was made that the union request the Government to take the matter over. It had found a market for the imported Australian barley, and should be able to find an outlet for the Marlborough grain, one member said.