THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23516, 2 June 1938, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS

By RUSTICUS,

Item* 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.

OTAGO SHEEP DOG ASSOCIATION A','.' _____ TRIAL DATES FOR 1938 Sheep dog trials under the auspices of the Otago Provincial Sheep Dog Association, together with Otago, Canterbury, and South Island championships fixtures have been arranged as follows: Palmerston.—June 2, 3. 4. Ngapara.—June 6,7, 8. Waimate (Canterbury championships* —June 13, 14, 15. Kuriwao (Otago championships*.— June 16, 17, 18. Warepa (South Island championships* —June 20, 21, 22, 23. 24. 25. Tuapeka.—June 27. 28. 29. WINTER SHOWS . LIST OF DATES Winter Show dates'. fixed for the various centres to date are as follows: June 3-9.—Dunedin. June 14-18.—Palmerston Worth. July 2-9.—Timaru.

official "What shall we do with ourselves to-night? ” asked one student of another. The other: "We’ll toss for it. If its heads, we’ll go to the pictures, and if it’s tails we’ll call on the girls.” First student: “It might stand on edge! ”* The other: "All right. If it does we’ll study for the exams.” * * * Advice has been received from the Prime Minister (Mr M, J. Savage) that he has arranged for the Postmastergeneral (Mr F. Jones) to act as the representative of the Government at the opening of the Otago Provincial Conference on Tuesday next, at 10.30 a.m. * ¥ * Mr C. V. Dayus, M.R.C.V.S., superintendent of the Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture, has kindly consented to give the‘talk during the Farmers’ Union session from 4YA on Monday next at 7.30 p.m. His subject will be “Hogget Mortality,” and special attention is drawn to the talk owing to the prevalence of the trouble in North Otago and elsewhere. * ¥ * The second annual general meeting of the Otago Farm Competitions Committee will be held in the Farmers’ Union office on Friday, June 10, at 2.30 p.m., when a cordial invitation is extended to all those interested to be present. It is the intention of the committee to continue the competitions for root crops, pasture and ewe hoggets which have been so successfully carried out the last- two years, and further competitions will be inaugurated as opportunity offers.

The monthly meeting of the Waikouaiti branch, N.Z.F.U., was well attended on Friday last, when Mr W. Graham occupied the chair in the absence of the president, Mr J. Hallum. Reference was made to the death of Mr William Hallum, who was a foundation member of the branch, and who was a keen worker in the interests of the branch and the Farmers’ Union right up to the time of his death. The usual motion of sympathy to the family in their bereavement was carried in silence. A long discussion took place on the remits to be submitted to the conference next week in order to give delegates some direction as to the opinion of branch members on the various subjects to be reviewed. * * * In connection with the supply of farm labour for the coming season, the State Placement Service is desirous of obtaining as early as possible some indication of the probable demand. The reason for this is that there will be a very big call on labour for Government undertakings, particulars of which will be released shortly, and unless the farmer’s requirements are made known early, the difficulties experienced during the past season will be repeated. This year, the Placement Service proposes to centralise in Wellington the demands for and the group detailing of all available labour' and to apply such centralisation to both Islands instead of restricting it to the North Island as was the case last year. Tn view of the foregoing, therefore, employers of labour are earnestly requested to make their requirements known to the Placement Office at the earliest possible opportunity. * * * The following is an outline of the relieving farm manager scheme in operation in the Te Awamutu and Ohaupo branches in the Auckland provinciaj district. The information is published for the benefit of those utago branches which were interested m a scheme of this nature:— This scheme was first brought forward at the Provincial Conference, Auckland, in 1936, and, after being considered by a special committee, the conference decided to allow the Te A^ ai ?? utu and Ohaupo branches to try out the scheme, and guaranteed the sum of £25 for the first year, in case of loss. The objects of the scheme were:— I. To make available experienced men to farmers in event of . the farmer through illness being unable to carry on. ■2. Make these men available when th l f , a i™ er wished to take a holiday. J. Make these men available in cases where the farmer's labour had left at short notice and to bridge the gap until he could obtain suitable help. A labour committee of five, with a labour secretary, was set up by the j Awamutu and Ohaupo branches to administer the scheme, and this committee decided upon the following procedure.

The scheme to be confined to union members only. Finance being a major question, it was decided- to form a group, and each union member was invited to subscribe £1 to the fund for the first year. Upon doing this, the union member became a group member of’the scheme, and this entitled him to the following benefits:—ln the event of sickness, he was entitled to the services of the manager for a fortnight at half-rates of pay. At all times a group member had first preference of the manager’s services. The conditions governing the manager’s appointment were as follows: The manager to be paid £3 per week and found whilst employed, with no payment for stand-down time. The fanner requiring the manager’s services was required to make the necessary arrangements for the transport of the manager to and from his home. The farmer paid his wages direct to the manager. During the first nine months the scheme worked out very well financially. and the committee decided to reduce the group membership fee to 10s instead of £l. SHEEP MORTALITY LAMB AND HOGGET LOSSES CAUSES AND PRECAUTIONS * Th u e I J i e . ha ? been a good deal of trouble in North Otago since January ; in connection with the management of .iambs and hoggets, and in several instances fairly high mortalities have been experienced. There is little doubt, in my opinion, that the condition has been primarily a dietetic one. A secondary factor is parasitic infestation. The type of feed, together with the prevailing climatic conditions, induces the dietetic trouble. These factors also influence parasitic infestation, which increases as malnutrition arising out of the primary condition progresses, and is more pronounced still where over-stocking is in evidence without adequate rotation. THE DIETETIC FACTOR After a prolonged dry period, the rainfall of late December and January brought about a quick response in pasture growth, resulting in conditions, in many instances, unfavourable for young sheep. The trouble was. particularly marked on young grass pastures. and under the circumstances scouring has been prevalent. The rainfall in April again added fuel to the fire. THE CLIMATIC FACTOR Rainfall, with mild, humid weather, has a distinct bearing on the development or intensification of the trouble as it facilitates the growth of soft pasture, which unless, subjected to careful grazing control, soon becomes rank and unsuitable for young sheep. On account of their close grazing habits, short feed, with a fair proportion of fibre to assist in rumination, is the most suitable pasture for both young and adult sheep, THE PARASITIC FACTOR Internal parasites, chiefly the round worms, are a source of considerable trouble to the farmer. It must be remembered that all sheep contain some worms, but the harmful effect of internal parasites is principally recorded in young sheep, and then, when infestation has been allowed to become heavy. Improvement in pastures induces overstocking, and this is one of the most fruitful causes of heavy infestation. as heavy contamination of the ground results and the sheep becomes exposed to a heavy rate of infestation. Where one sheep is carried per acre, the chances of a single parasite being ingested by a sheep is unity, but where two sheep per acre are carried the chances are doubled, also the num-

ber of parasites contaminating the pasture is doubled, so that the chances of a sheep picking up parasites varies as the square of the concentration of the sheep. The aim should always be to expose the sheep to the least possible risk of infection and this can be done by avoiding long periods of stocking, that is, by rotating the sheep. Improvement in pastures includes stimulating clover growth, and one authority has suggested that the clovers facilitate parasitic infestation more so than the grasses. During dry spells, creek banks and swampy ground are often a source of heavy infestation because sheep tend to concentrate on these areas. Low lying areas receiving drainage from hilly country provide green feed on which the whole of a flock may concentrate and provide heavy contamination. SYMPTOMS The young sheep fall away In condition and often commence to scour. They become sluggish in movement and anaemic in appearance, and develop a slight watery discharge from the eyes. In most cases the scouring continues and the animal becomes pot bellied and very poor in condition. Depraved appetite develops, the animal hugging low lying areas and drinking profusely from swamps or stagnant water. If handled animals are extremely light and the wool will be found to pull out easily. Finally death follows. PREVENTION AND TREATMENT In management both in respect of nutrition and the control of internal parasites a system of rotation which makes it possible to practice a certain degree of intensive stocking for a short period and allow subsequent regeneration’ of the pasture is ideal. If the trouble has originated on young rank grass pasture the sheep should be removed to older pasture on higher and drier land. Where proper grazing for sheep is not available, and it is unavoidable that they be kept on lush feed, every endeavour must be made to balance the ration and provide additional fibre as well as nutriment. A supply of good hay (preferably lucerne or clover) and a daily ration of chaff can be regarded as highly beneficial. For lambs and hoggets that are going back in condition the provision of a little oats mixed in the chaff has a wonderfully good effect. In addition to such measures as these, control of the pastures by the use of cattle, and even, where possible, by mowing, must be considered. The point to be stressed is that sheep, especially lambs and hoggets, require short feed, and cannot be expected to thrive on long, rank growth. The won* drench now recommended by the live stock division is a mixture of 11b copper sulphate (blue stone) and 16 fluid ounces of commercial nicotine sulphate in five gallons of water (three ounces of each to the gallon is sufficiently near when mixing smaller quantities). The dose is from £oz for weak lambs to loz for stronger hoggets. There is no need to starve the animals previous to drenching: in fact, it is better not to do so. Dosing should be repeated at two to three-week intervals. A NEW GRASS SUCCESSFUL TRIAL IN BACK COUNTRY FUTURE POSSIBILITIES On Holbrook Station, near Tekapo, Mr C. A. Parker, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, has sown experimental plots of crested wheatgrass, and a recent inspection showed a strong establishment. The grass is a fairly recent introduction to New Zealand, and because of its hardiness. combined with goou growth and palatability, it is expected to have great possibilities in the regrassing of backcountry pastures.' The plots at Holbrook were sown last October, and in the early stages of growth, encountered very dry weather, but in spite of that, the establishment has been quite good. Two plots of ordinary crested wheatgrass are doing well, but a special selection does not appear to be of such a hardy type. Crested wheatgrass is well known tn Western America, and it has been very difficult to obtain, seed, as the Government of the United States is retaining it for sowing in the depleted areas of the country. The seed ,in New Zealand has been practically all obtained from Canada. The development of the grass in pastoral country is going to be very interesting, particularly in the Mackenzie Country. If the grass justifies the results obtained with experiments it could revolutionise pastoral grazing. It is not affected by , frosts, being very hardy, and it has not lifted from the ground as a result of low temperatures. In North America crested wheatgrass Is being extensively sown where soil erosion is causing great damage, and its use in that connection in New Zealand offers great possibilities. Mr R. Scott, of Kyeburn, Central Otago, has a considerable area under crested wheatgrass, and he is thoroughly satisfied with its great possibilities. He established it about four years and a-half ago, and it has stood frost extremely well. Animals of all kinds are very fond of the grass, and not even the straw was left after he threshed a portion. ' ENGLISH FARMERS* CONCERN MUTTON AND LAMB PRICES RESTRICTIONS ON IMPORTS DEMANDED (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, May 14. English farmers have been so severely affected by the drought and the consequent lack of fresh green feed that they are obliged to sell stock to cut their losses. This has had the effect of causing a glut on the mutton and lamb markets, with a consequent fall in prices. At the same time New Zealand lamb is selling at Id per lb higher than a year ago. One of the results is that Mr W. S. Morrison, Minister of Agriculture, has been asked to take steps to regulate mutton and lamb imports until home producers can recover from the abnormal conditions. His reply was that supplies of mutton and lamb from foreign countries to the United Kingdom were already limited in accordance with the Ottawa agreements to approximately 65 per cent, of the standard year (July, 1931 -June, 1932* He was in consultation with representatives of the Australian and New Zealand Governments in regard te supplies from those dominions during the current year. The situation was being kept under close review. Mr R. S. Forsyth. British representative of the New Zealand Meat Marketing Board, said yesterday that the consultations were continuing. There was nothing to report at present. The concern of the farmers, caused by the drought, was emphasised in the House of Commons by Major Branthwaite, the Conservative member for Buckrose. Yorks. He estimated loss to farmers from the drought at £10,000,000. This, he said, was made up of hay. £1,500.000; fruit. £1,000,000; cereals, £1,000,000: milk. £2,000.000: eggs and poultry. £1,000,000; cattle, £ 1,000,000; pigs, £500.000: potatoes, £1,000,000; mutton and lamb. £1,000.000. ‘‘The milk yield for May.” he said, ‘ will be down 15,000,000 gallons. Hay concentrates and winter foods are being fed to dairy herds now. when they should be eating the new crops. Even In the most fertile parts the hope of a reasonable hay crop is bad.” GLUT OF LAMB Mr Turton, the Conservative member for Thirsk and Malton, Yorkshire, said that in Yorkshire there is now a crisis in mutton and lamb. There is a glut of lamb on the English market because farmers, unable to graze or buy feeding stuffs, have unloaded their stocks on the market. He asked Mr Morrison to operate the Ottawa and Argentina agreements to cut down imports.

“Just at the time when there is a glut there has been an increase of Imports,” he said. " I do not know why. In the early months of this year chilled and frozen mutton imports have increased from 200,000 cwt to SOO.OOOcwt.” Mr Clement Davies, the LiberalNational member for Montgomery, estimated his county’s loss on sheep at £250,000 to £500,000. Mr Morrison said that, though he admitted that the unseasonable lack of rain suffered in rural districts must damage agricultural prospects this year, it was too early yet to estimate what the full effect on the out-turn of crops would be. To some extent the lack of rain in the spring had been compensated by good conditions In the winter.

Early fruit had been irreparably damaged, but it was hoped that later fruit would not suffer to anything like the same extent. Winter-sown crops of wheat were standing up well, and, given an adequate supply of rain in the next week or fortnight, should not suffer the damage which now appeared possible. He could not put forward figures of the damage suffered anything like those which had been given.

Referring to the Ottawa pact in a recent leading article, the Yorkshire Post expressed a view held in many quarters of the United Kingdom. After mentioning that one of the principles of the pact was that the British farmer should have first place in his own market, the other parts of the Empire second, and the foreigner third, the Yorkshire Post continued;

“ Certainly, the Ottawa pact has diverted to Empire .outes much of our imported food. Empire produce still enters our market free of duty, and to the extent that foreign produce is taxed (as much of it is) the dominions have a preference. “ The question' arises whether in these circumstances the dominions do not sometimes ride their advantage too hard. There must obviously be a limit to the absorptive capacity of the British market, and, indeed, the complaint of the home farmer is that it has been often exceeded. Whoever benefits, it is certainly not the producer. and even the consumer must have noticed that periods of cheap abundance are usually by periods of scarcity and rising prices. What emerges seems to be the need for a better co-ordination of supplies, and the ultimate achievement of this has been the aim of a significant conference of Empire primary producers lately held in Sydney.”