DOMINION LIVE STOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17556, 23 August 1920, Page 6

DOMINION LIVE STOCK.

-. ' : SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS. ,/■■ <- PROMISING. OUTLOOK. ,-•//.';:■.;;.■..:___....:■.;.■-,' ;- : ■ VISITING FARMERS' VIEWS. - ' Farming conditions in South Africa, and'the possibility of opening up markets for New Zealand stock in South Africa, ■were discussed on Saturday by Mr. F. T. Nicholson, of Pretoria^who has; just completed ~;.»,;; tour., |of New .Zealand.. ; Mr. Nicholson,, who was private secretary to the late General L. Botha, is closely associated with agricultural and pastoral matters. He Neatly visited Australia, together with other South African pastoralists, for the purpose of /purchasing stud merino sheep, with the object of improving the South African flocks. Upon the completion of his business in Australia he came to New Zealand tor investigate matters connected with the farming industry. ._.:..., , * Referring" to sheep-farming ■'.(! in ' South, Africa, Mr. Nicholson said that the lowest altitude at which the merino could be kept*in' that, country -was about 4000 feet above sea level, whereas in New Zealand and Australia the merino could be kept at a much lower altitude. The Australian merino bad originally come from '. A South Africa, but, as a result of the importation of fresh blood from Spain and scientific . methods of breeding '■- » ; specially fine type of animal had been: developed. h African breeders were determined, to raise "the standard of the. merino :i hi their country and//werehow importing stud'rams from Australia at high' prices.* " Among some that had been recently > purchased were animals that cost .front;-,> 1600 5 to 4000 guineas. .: A large number? of others had also been purchased at prices ranging from £20 to £500* The lower-priced rams had /been acquired to sell ..in Africa, but the more costly animals had been specially selected by-large flock owners to improve their stock. The result of these activities on the part of sheep owners would be that South Africa wOuld soon be able to produes high-class » atud stock in. sufficient numbers to meet all the requirements of the country.

Bight Class of Animals Here. ' : .In reference to the possibility of opening up ..a market for New. Zealand stock in South Africa, Mr. 'Nicholson said that the Africans had gone to Australia for their stock, as they were not aware that New» Zealand j was in a position to supply the : class of animals that were required. Be' bad' seen sheep in New Zealand that would i compare favourably with the best types in any country, f :■■■■-•■■ Moreover, the conditions in New Zealand more" closely; approximated those of the lower altitudes and coastal districts of South Africa than those 'of the' Commonwealth. For this reason .New Zealand stock would probably be more suitable for many parts of South Africa; than the Australian breeds. ' Headded that he bad noticed that New Zealand sheepfarmers went 'in largely for English" breeds of sheep. These had not been used to any extent in South Africa owing to the non-enforcement by the Government of the regulation for the eradication of scab and other sheep maladies. With tie eradication of these, diseases the English breeds would be mere generally stocked and there should be a good opening for New Zealand/stud stock in South Africa. He' also thought a useful market for v New Zealand cattle could be established in South Africa. Large areas of grazing country'had recently been taken up" with a view to raising bee! cattle, and already South African beef was being sent to Britain. Probable Market for Draught Hones. Mr. Nicholson also expressed the opinion that a market for New Zealand draught horses would- be* developed. At present all the ploughing.and agricultural :work-in" South Africa was done with oxen, , owing to/the prevalence .of a disease known to the'.Boer as " horse sickness." 4 This disease was fatal to / horses ;in districts - where agriculture -was the chief industry. Hopes entertained that ' ; this malady would shortly be overcome. A serum bad recently' .produced' at the Govern.ment laboratory which rendered inoculated horses practically immune from the disease. •■ rfs:\: ./• , -?~,''-;'*-//...V'- : "*,', - v ,-. ; / Unfortunately a short time ago vaccine had been produced from an animal suffering from some other serious disease, and this had destroyed the efficacy of . the serum- Great work had been , done in combating prevalent stock diseases by Sir Arnold Thliler, principal veterinary - surgeon and lecturer at Pretoria, who was in charge of a laboratory . near - Pretoria, ■where all the research work was carried out. The majority of the diseases were capable of being dealt with by inoculation, and valuable additions to the knowledge already obtained were constantly being made. When the horse sickness was finally overcome there would be a fine opportunity for New Zealand horsebreeders to export ,to South Africa. Horses from the Dominion should be particularly suited by South African conditions.