RUAKURA STATE FARM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20766, 8 January 1931, Page 11

RUAKURA STATE FARM.

A SUCCESSFUL SEASON. STOCK PROGRESSING WELL. [BX TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, "Wednesday. A satisfactory season has been experienced at the Ruakura State Farm since last winter. Farming operations have continued on the same lines as in previous years, and the policy of closer supervision and pasture improvement has been steadily pursued. The value of this policy has been reflected in the greater number of stock carried through the winter and th§ general increase in production as compared with previous years.

A noteworthy fact is that not one case of milk fever has been experienced during the past four years, notwithstanding the fact that the farm's cows come into profit in big condition, and that they can be classed among the highest producers in the Dominion.

The stock on the farm wintered well. The herd of 120 pedigree cows came into profit with a minimum of trouble, and have continued to produce well. There are 20 young pedigree cows under C.O.R. test. On the farm are 122 pedigree calves, including 65 bulls. A satisfactory lambing season was experienced, the percentage docked being 121. The lambs did well, and 1270 fat lambs have been disposed of. This number represents 75 per cent, of the crossbred lambs produced. A total of 2350 sheep were shorn.

A better demand has been created for pigs bred on the farm, and an exhibition of Berkshire-Large White baconers, made in London, was favourably commented on.

About 60 acres at Ruakura are under cultivation, and the crops, both cereal and roots, are looking particularly well. An exceptionally heavy crop of oats, comprising 26 acres, is being harvested. The pastures are in very good heart, and feed is more succulent than usual.

A paddock containing 29 acres of roots at the east end of the farm represents heavy feeding value. Swedes, mangels, carrots, and potatoes are growing in great profusion. Some of the roots were attacked by pests during a recent dry spell, and their growth was retarded, but they are doing well now. A plot of over a dozen varieties of potatoes is of especial interest.