THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21992, 29 June 1933, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

By Rusticus

Items of interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, with a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed. They should be addressed to "Rusticus," Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.

Nomination papers for the Meat Board Electoral Committee close on July 21. The procedure in the past has been for the New Zealand Farmers' Union (Otago Provincial Council), New Zealand Sheep Owners' Federation (Otago branch),, and the Otago A. and P. Society to nominate two representatives, and the North Otagp Association to nominate one representative. Messrs J. D. Revie (Crookston) and Edgar Shatid (Kokonga) have been nominated by the various Otago bodies. At the last meeting of the Otago Provincial Council, the secretary was instructed to write to the North Otago Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union asking them if they could get the North Otago bodies to adhere to the old arrangement whereby North Otago nominated one candidate only. A reply has not yet been received.

A director of Messrs Cadbury Fry Hudson, Ltd., paid a fine compliment to the party of young farmers which recently visited Dunedin. In the course of his remarks he stated that he was sorry to say that some of the people they had conducted through the works in the past had been unmannerly enough to break open boxes of chocolates and to grab sweets at every opportunity. Some of such visitors left with their pockets bulging. His staff had told him that the party of young farmers had been one of the most courteous and well-behaved parties which had ever visited the factory. Jt had been, a pleasure to show them round. Mr 11. D. Skinner commended the behaviour of the youths during the visit to the Museum, and Mr R. H. Neilson commented in the same strain in connection with the visit to the Art Gallery.

Several arresting statements were made by various speakers at the recent educational week for young farmers. The following are some examples:— Professor Thompson: It has been proved by experiment that a man can learn as well at from 25 to 40 as he can at a younger age. Mr James Hogg: The code of ethics in New Zealand stands higher to-day than it did 50 or 70 years ago. Dr Renfrew White: In New Zealand to-day human beings are living longer than any human beings have ever lived in any country in the world. He added that this was all right provided they were happy and healthy. Professor W. Benham: It 'is all " bunkum" »to think that the kea makes a practice of feeding on the kidney fat of sheep. Pew human beings, let alone keas, know where the kidney fat is to be found.

Mr Prank, Adams: Our defence expenditure last year included £66,000 for interest and debt charges on the battleship New Zealand, which was presented to the British Government before the war and was (I think) scrapped some years ago.

In view of the recent remit received by the Otago Provincial Council urging them to press for the Dunedin City Corporation to take over the milk supply of the city, it is rath'er interesting to learn that the National Farmers' Union of Scotland is also agitating for a better tcheme for marketing milk, and has drawn up a scheme to control the marketing of milk 'in the principal towns of Scotland. From a recent copy of the National Farmers' Union of Scotland Current News we learn that their proposals have been put forward and have been agreed to by 1 the most representative farming organisations in Scotland. The Secretary of State for Scotland has approved of the scheme going before the House of Commons, and has sent it forward, with the following comment: — "Having regard to the circumstances in which the signatories to the scheme were appointed to act as a representative committee of milk producers, and to the prominent position held by them in the Scottish dairy farming industry, the Secretary, of State at that date was satisfied that the scheme should be accepted for consideration in accordance with the provisions of the Act. I may add that I fully concur with my predecessor in being satisfied that the persons submitting the scheme are substantially representative of the producers of milk in the area of the scheme." It will be interesting to learn if the scheme is approved of by the British Government.

Ihe Tapanui District Sub-provincial Executive recently asked the Provincial Council to make inquiries as to what was being done by the Department of Agriculture in connection with scabby mouth in hoggets. The provincial secretary has now received the following reply from Mr C. V. Dayus, M.R.C.V.S., district superintendent, live stock division:— " The condition referred to is stomatitis, which is not uncommon in hoggets, especially in the autumn, though actually as far as this year is concerned it has not been specially reported to me. "The specific cause of the disease is not easy to define, but there is no doubt that the condition is due to an ultravisible virus, therefore highly infectious and difficult to prevent, any more than one can prevent an outbreak of chicken pox. " The lesions on the lips and mouth cause irritation and difficulty iii feeding, and therefore there is some falling off in condition.* "There are various secondary bacterial ( iuvaders of the primary lesion, chief of which is bacillus necrophorus. This organism is an amerobe, and grows best in oxygen-free tissue. Therefore in bad cases the first thing to do is to remove all scabs that help to keep out the air. The affected parts can then be swabbed with .tincture of iodine. Later, while healing is in progress, a useful ointment to apply daily consists of: Lard 21b, sulphur 2oz, balsum peru 2oz, carbolic acid 2 drams. "Fortunately, there is a natural tendency to spontaneous recovery, which a change of feed will also materially as-

sist." * * # In connection with' the remit recently received from Tapanui urging that restrictions be placed upon the importation of mammals, etc., the provincial secretary is advised by Mr C. V. Dayus that the Animal Protection and Game Act, 1921-22, deals with this matter. Section 30 reads as follows: 1. No person shall, without the consent of the Minister given subject to any regulations in that behalf—(a) Introduce or import into New Zealand any mammal or bird (not being a domestic animal or bird) or any reptile or insect; or (b) j liberate or turn at large for purposes | of sport or game any imported mammal j or bird; or (c) have in his possession any imported reptile, or any beast or bird of prey, or any animal imported into New Zealand in breach of this Act. 2. The Minister shall not grant permission to introduce or import into New ' Zealand any venomous reptile or insect. 3. No person shall liberate or allow to go at large in New Zealand any noxious reptile or insect. 4. Subject to the foregoing provisions in this section, it shall be the duty of the master, owner, charterer, and agent of any vessel arriving at any port or

place in New Zealand to prevent any snake or other noxious reptile or insect from being landed in Now Zealand from such vessel, whether in the cargo or otherwise, and to inform the collector of Customs of the presence on board of any animals other than domestic animals. 5. Every person who offends against, or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section is liable to a fine of £2OO or to imprisonment for six months.

1933-34 WOOL SEASON

ROSTER OF SALES Wool sales have been arranged as follows for the 1933-34 wool-selling season in New Zealand: — Place. Date. Auckland .. .. November 27 Napier December I Wellington .. .. December 7 Christchureh .. December 12 Timarn December 10 Dnnedin December 20 Napier January 6 Wellington .. .. January 11 Auckland .. .. January 15 Wanganui .. .. January 19 Christchureh .. January 26 Invercargill .. January 31 Dunedin .. .. February 5 Timaru February 9 Wellington .. .. February 15 Napier February 20 Wanganui .. .. February 23 Christchureh .. March 2 Dunedin .. .. March 7 Invercargill .. .. March 9 Wellington .. .. March 19 Napier .. .... March 23 Auckland .. .. March 27 Christchureh .. April 6 Dunedin .. .. April 10 Wanganui .. .. " April 17 Napier April 20 Wellington .. .. April 24

The April sale dates are tentative only, subject to revision, and.will be held only if sufficient wool is available.

Home-killed Meat It is a common complaint against butchers that they do not.now hang English beef and mutton long enough (says The. Times). The point particularly concerns the home farmer Yidiq is concerned to secure a greater share of the consumers' custom at the butcher's shop. A writer in- the Year Book of the Suffolk Sheep Society suggests that many butchers now put home-killed meat before the public on the day after slaughtering. However good the quality may be the meat, if sold too soon after killing, is bound to be tough. Qn this score imported meat, which has passed some weeks in cold store, has .the advantage over the home product. It may be that butchers in many i cases have not the cold storage room to hang; their meat for a long enough time for it to become quite tender. No_ one will question the opinion that there is no meat that can beat our produce for quali ity and flavour if it is allowed to hang long enough. Judging by the growing popularity of Suffolk sheep reported by the society it may be taken that this breed suits f the butcher's requirements admirably. The total number of registered flocks is now 361, of which 248 are in England and Wales; '■■ Agricultural Education - Agricultural Progress, received this week, the journal of the Agricultural Education Association, "contains several articles of practical interest to farmers, as well as to research workers in agriculture. A number of short essays by economists show the work which is being undertaken, particularly on the economics of farm management, the economics l of marketing, and the study of prices and price analysis. Qther articles, which are in many cases based on papers read before meetings of the association, give accounts of recent work in the spheres of animal husbandry, dairying, and agricultural chemistry. The object of the association is the development of agricultural education and research by.mutual assistance and advice. Its membership, which now numbers about 500, includes county agricultural organisers and members of the teaching, research, and advisory staffs of agricultural colleges, university departments, and research stations. The journal is obtainable from W. Heffer and Sons, Ltd., Cambridge, price ss. Cost of Agricultural Credit .Sir George Courthope drew attention to the difficult but urgent question of

farmers' credit at last week's meeting of the Central Chamber of Agriculture (says an English journal). He took-the optimistic view that some sections of agriculture are now definitely on the up-grade, though the industry as a whole has a long way to go before solvency is recovered. As he pointed out, many farmers have not only exhausted their own capital, but also their access to credit under the present system, and so are handicapped in their endeavours to benefit from the recovery of market prices which, it is hoped, will come with the development of the nation's agricultural policy. Parliament has not been blind to the credit needs of farmers whose working capital has been exhausted, but it cannot be said that the facilities for short-term credit provided for in part II of the Agricultural Credits Act have been of any great value to farmers. The banks have not encouraged farmers to take up short-term loans, but have preferred to extend credit on their own termsto farmers whose business reputation stands high. It certainly seems that the banks have unloosed their purse strings more freely to farmers in recent months-, perhaps, it may be suggested, because few other business men are prepared to borrow money at the standard charge for advances. Though farmers may find their bank managers more amenable, the cost of the credit they obtain is too high to suit the present circumstances of the fanning industry, . ' . -. I

TOPICS OF k INTEREST

OFFICIAL NOTES.

It is interesting to learn tli.it as an outcome of the successful educational week for young fanners, held in Dunedin recently, the Southland Education Board has decided to look into the possibilities of, running a similar course in Southland. At a recent meeting of the Southland Executive, Mr G. Hamilton (Lumsden) brought up the question of an alteration in the title of the " New Zealand Farmers' Union," and suggested that another word should be used in place of "union," which was apt lo give'people an erroneous idea of its aims and objects. A short discussion ensued, but no formal resolution was passed. i -'.■ * ■/• During the progress of the educational course, Mr A. 0. Cameron was approached by several business men who offered to show the lads over their factories. -As a full programme had been arranged, it was not possible to accept such offers. A number of the lads, however, took advantage of the offer to be shown over the Co-opera-tive Dairy Company's plant and lo visit the bakery of Mr J. R. Brown at Kew. Our thanks are due to the management of these concerns for their courtesy.

DOMINION SHEEP FLOCKS

MOVEMENTS IN NEW ZEALAND QUALITY AND INCREASES About 4000 new flocks, each averaging 150 sheep, have come into existence from between 1029 and 1032, despite the ruling low prices for mutton, lamb, or wool. There are no fewer than 3073 new flocks in the class under 200 sheep, and these flocks have increased 55.4 per cent, in three years. There is at the same lime a steady increase in the number of milch cows over these years, so dairying is not necessarily being replaced by sheep farming. Perhaps the tendency is more the other way. TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT.

j If this were but a temporary movement towards, smaller flocks, and more of them, it would be only of passing interest, but there' arc other permanent influences which should receive consideration. With sheep and lambs at unprofitable prices and wool selling at prices well below thfr cost of production, there is no induce I ment for new flocks to be established: yet total flocks have increased by 3737 ' during the course of three years, an increase of 14 per cent, over this period. While the numbers of sheep in flocks over 1000 sheep each have decreased to thw extent of 957,471 (nearly one million), the sheep totals of the small flocks (under 1000) have increased by nearly 600,000 (598,777). ■ In the first year of the slump, 1929-30, the sheep figures rose by 1.500.000 and reached the high peak of 30,841,287 sheep. Since then, although there has been a decrease of about one million sheep per year, this year's total is only 359,594 less than in 1929. Under these circumstances a very definite change is taking place in the ownership of flocks in New Zealand. r The movements" both in the sizes and numbers of flocks, also in the numbers of sheep in the various sheep districts in New Zealand, need to be carefully analysed, as their effect on markets and marketing are always felt in due course. SMALL FLOCKS INCREASE.

The number of small flocks, comprising under 500 sheep each, has increased by 29.6 per cent., or 3646 flocks, over this period under review—i.e., 1920 to 1932. The number of comparatively small flocks under 1000 sheep has increased by 22.125 | per cent., or 3995, while the number of j flocks oVer 1000 sheep each has decreased jby 248 Or 2.92 per cent. There was a | steady increase in the total number of flocks up until 1931, the peak year, but : 1932 totals have receded by 340 flocks. :In spite of this decrease the small flocks under 500 sheep still show a gain of 123 for 1932. INTENSIVE GRAZING. It has been proved conclusively that close grazing improves the productivity of the dairy herd, and smaller paddocks and rotational grazing are some of the main pasture developments of recent years. It has been found profitable from a dairying viewpoint to close graze the paddocks with sheep after the cows have been removed, and before grass is allowed to come away again. Another reason for grazing sheep on cow pastures is to check the growth of ragwort. Sheep are no trouble and are suitable to the new and improved ideas of cow pastures. Seeing that this innovation has been introduced

J when the returns to be expected from i sheep are at the lowest point, it might be | expected to prove a permanent practice | when improved returns are received from I this new sideline. The low prices of I stock have considerably aided the speedy ' introduction of this practice, and there is ; no indication that it has been yet fully developed. DAIRY FARMERS RESPONSIBLE. That dairy farmers are more or less responsible for this trend is proved by analysis of the returns for the various sheep districts. Auckland sheep district shows the largest inci'ease of 1491 flocks, 86.2 per cent, of which are in the class under 500 sheep. Otago sheep district has the next place of honour, with an increase of 989 flocks, 83.2 per cent, of which are under 500 sheep each, As Otago and Southland are in this district, further analysis shows that Southland

accounts for 77 per cent, of the increase in the total number of flocks in Otago sheep district and 68.4 per cent, of the increase in sheep. Wellington and West Coast sheep district shows that the West Coast (Wanganui, Taranaki, etc.) increased her small flocks of under 500 sheep by 307, and this figure exceeds the total increase for the district 'by 29 flocks. These are the main dairying districts in New Zealand, and in flocks under 500 sheep, these districts, by themselves, can account of 76.5 per cent, of the total increase of these small flocks in New Zealand.

Had this new practice of grazing small flocks on dairy farms not been introduced, the decrease from the 1929' sheep totals would have been very much heavier than it is to-day.

FRESH INFLUENCES ON MARKETS. One of the first effects of the trend are the recent paper reports from dairying districts that a demand ha s set in for fencing wire and materials. These dairy farmers are further subdividing their paddocks to get the full advantage of close grazing and make them also more suitable for sheep. FREEZING COMPANIES.

Ihe Freezing Company interests are finding that the demand for space in Auckland and other parts is likely to be earlier than usual, because of small owners wanting to get rid of the progeng] of their few ewes, when these are ready for the market. This recent development could mean that buyers of freezing stockwill have to make 4000 more calls than in 1929 in order to purchase these prime lambs in smaller lots. It indicates the

growing need of either selling this produce on the hooks, in sale yards, or else the elimination of wasteful competition among the different buyers of freezing stock, travelling around the country over the same ground and buying stock oil the farms.

What effect this new practice will have on the quality of lamb or mutton is hard to foretell, but it is obvious that the choice of good ewes and suitable rams will be more varied than in the past. This is probably one point which both the Meat Board and the Department of Agriculture will keep in view, when looking to the improvement of quality in our meat produce. WOOL. Perhaps one of the most important products which this development could influence is wool. The breeding, character, and uniformity in the wool will be reflected in the choice of and in culling the flocks and further in the choice of the ram. In a number of cases it is doubtful if these small owners will raise their own flocks, in which case they will probably buy a small line of ewes', hold them for a season, take a crop of lambs, and sell the ewes when fat and after shearing. The trend towards these small flocks is not likely to be reflected in better wool, as more attention than ever will be paid to the carcass at the expense of the wool. This may ultimately lead to the need for greater regulation in the sale of rams, by giving greater regard to their fleeces. HIGHER CLASSING STANDARD.

As it is not considered practicable to class wool from flocks under 2500 sheep to the greatest point of efficiency on the

farms, the effective classing of wool from these small flocks on the farms is impossible. Although it will be hard enough to improve the wool grown by these small flocks, the classing of this wool can be highly efficient by utilising the bulk classing services in the various selling centres. This will mean the development of the present reclassing services along progressive lines and towards the establishment of a national standard of classing. The rapid growth of these smaller flock owners emphasises the .need for a standard of classing, and the reduction of the costs of this service, if New Zealand is to compete successfully for -its proper share of the crossbred wool trade. Although reforms in the marketing of New Zealand woo! have been advocated lor some time past, this definite tendency towards small flocks makes progressive action all the more imperative.