R.S.A. Gift Calf Scheme

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 44, 24 February 1944, Page 3

R.S.A. Gift Calf Scheme

Much criticism was at one time levelled at the R.S.A. Gift Calf Scheme, but time has proved its value when a group of enthusiasts get behind it. At the time when the Matamata calves Avere collected at. Matanuku Downs, departmental officers who were entirely sympathetic to the scheme described the calves as a j "scrub lot” and "b mongrels.” To--1 day those heifers are being pasturised on the Homewood Estate, Te Puke—the farm property handed over to the Govern- . ment by Mr. G. Alley as a training centre I for returned servicemen desirous of settling on the land. Those who are qualified to judge say that the herd (now numbering 115) has turned into as fine a herd of milking heifers as could be found anywhere. j A group of experienced farmers who recently inspected the herd was amazed at the docile and contented nature of the animals. These farmers paid a very high tribute to Mr. Iloneyfield, who is in charge of the herd which they described as "in splendid condition, with plenty of bloom and good square udders.” I During a period of ten days in January —a very dry period—the herd yielded lOGlbs. of butterfat daily, and one of the experienced dairymen who was in the party expressed the opinion that the likely trouble of the sharemilker would be to dry off the heifers at the end of the I The Matamala Gift Calves provide an .unique concrete example which justifies I in every detail the faith and foresight of !thc Dominion President of the N.Z.R.S.A. ! (Mr. B. J. Jacobs), who inaugurated the scheme in an atmosphere which was not ! very encouraging, to say the least, it also speaks volumes for the enthusiasm of the Matamata R.S.A. executive, who assisted to carry out the practical side of lhe scheme, and is a source of pleasure to the donors whose generosity made the idea possible. In the early stages, many difficulties were met in collection and grazing, but finally, through the energetic efforts of Mr. C. \V. Batten, the N.Z.R.S.A. representative on the Rehabilitation Board, and Mr. M. Moolian, the calves were removed to the Homewood Estate with the gratifying results reported earlier in this article.