THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24254, 23 March 1940, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

By RUSTICUS.

SHEEP DOG TRIALS FOR 1940 The Otago Provincial Sheep Dog Association has approved the following list

Woof*fsr Australia

LS&liiw:.about,.£4Bo,ooo worth of Ne>K;:Zeafeai^vobl:fwa's-sent from 'New: Zealalta r . This was' used mostly'for> Wending, purposes, and Australia in a like manner sends some of he¥ Wdo! .to v the Dominion. Australian^ 1 for wool are required to furnish the following details In duplicate: (a) Particulars of actual auantities imported and used under types, counts, and grades,- during each motitlv of the calendar year 1939, and the' proportions used or sold for home consumption and re-export (either as raw wool or in semi-manufactured or wholly manufactured form) respectively. Where the wool was resold locally by the importer, either in raw or semi-manufactured form, the names of the local processors concerned should be stated, with the indication of the quantities supplied (under each head of classification mentioned above). (b) The estimated quantities ofrtypea, counts,' and grades required for home consumption for each month for the period ending December, 1940. (p) The particular processing purpose for-which each classes imported. Importers will also be required to lodge in due course statutory declarations that the w6ol will not be re-exported either as raw wool or in semi-manu-factured or manufactured form.

Commonwealth Wool Throughout the Australian Commonwealth, wool worth approximately £'47,000,000 at the contract price has been dealt with, and it is estimated that a further 600,000 bales will be appraised from April to June. As the season's operations have progressed, the efficient organisation of those in control of appraisements has gained more general recognition, and it deserves commendation. It is certain' that, if the scheme were not in existen ;e, a great part of the clip, particularly the burry, faulty section of it, would be unsold. -.'... , Up to the end of March, 1914-15, the first selling' season of the last war, only 392,081 bales nas been sold by auction and privately in Sydney, compared, with 1,180,223 bales appraised to date this season. The delays in selling in .1914-15 not only caused monetary embarrassment. to growers, but had severe effect on the financial position of the community generally. Week after -week since mid-October thifcsepßOn money for "Wool has been passing";into, circulation.-;, .---*-- . "Increased supplies of wool, are available ■ .in Australia. Under ordinary auctiori' larger supply, usually administers' a .check to values, but with-the fixed average prices of 13.4375 d a lb for. the clip; .risk of variation in values is eliminated. -. It is most improbable that,iif;peace had prevailed, a figure equal to the average quoted would have been recorded. Demand showed some sign of strengthening at closing Australian sales of last June, but the tariffs and money exchange difficulties,.which had curbed trade ir the two preceding .years, remained to restrict business and values for the raw material.

South African Sales The greasy wool sold in South Africa up to mid-February averaged Hid per lb in African currency. The average secured in that country for October was 12|d. November 12£d. and December lljd. Apparently selling at the figures desired by growers has not been easy. Up to mid-February 557,000 bales had been offered, of which only 59 per cent was sold at auction, but private and out-of-hand sales v brought the total quality* sold to 520,000 bales. ,

FARM AND STATION NEWS

Accuracy Essential

Latest advices show that good South African wools were meeting a keen demand, but inquiry for other classes was quiet at irregular figures. From July to the end of December African exports of greasy wool to the United States were the eauivalent of 66,180 bales; France. 31,770 bales; Japan. 21,560 bales; United Kingdom, 17,810 bales; Italy. 9973. bales: and Belgium 8820 bales.'

British Exports Recover During September and October a marked decrease was experienced in exports of tops, yarns and fabrics from the United Kingdom, but November and December showed an appreciable regain. During the latter months shipments of the semi-manufactured and fully manufactured goods quoted were valued at £4,859,406, compared with £2.711,199 in September-October, and £4,016,398 in November-December 1938. The increases were at least partially caused by the higher prices for the goods exported, but the largeness of the increase oh the SeptemberOctober.' total indicates, that an expansion" in quantity was an appreciable factor.: That is a satisfactory development, as Great Britain's necessity is to export, as much' as possible to provide credits abroad. Imports of wool into the United Kingdom for the four months ended December were of considerably less value and quantity than for the corresponding period of 1938. Sea transport in war-time is a problem, but it must be remembered that appraisements in Australia did not commence until October 9, and in those circumstances a reduction in imports for the months mentioned was unavoidable. December showed.a much larger total than November, and since that time the consignments of the sheep's staple have been arriving more freely.

DIPPING OF SHEEP PREVENTION OF LOSS FACTORS IN MORTALITY CAREFUL PREPARATION IMPOTANT Certain details in the important operation of dipping must be observed if mortalities and loss are to be avoided. The sheep is a susceptible subject to pneumonia and pleurisy if anv of the dipping fluid is aspirated into the lungs or if the weather at the time of dipping is not suitable. The work of dipping a flock is a most important part of good flock management, for clean sheep, which are free from lice and ticks, thrive better and are more contented, and the wool will bring a better price if it is free frOm tick-staining. There should be no risk of mortality if certain well-known rules are followed in detail. Making Up the Fluid The dipping fluid should be made up in accordance with the instructions laid down by the makers of the particular 'dip being used. All details as. to the immersion of the sheep" should he carried out to ensure the eradication of lice and ticks. If good results are to be obtained it is necessary for the sheep to be wet right to the skin and the head must be immersed once or twice during the swim. The sheep require to be in the bath about one minute for thorough wetting, and the time can be gauged by the amount of fleece and the degree of parasitic infestation present. If the sheep are seriously infested with parasties a second dipping in about three weeks is necessary, as some eggs may have escaped the first bath and may later hatch out.

To ensure accuracy in making up the dip according to the instructions, it is necessary to know the capacitv of the dip. The dip should be thoroughly cleaned out before filling with water, all sludge and dirt being removed. The capacity should be measured accurately, and the correct amount of the concentrate dip added. If a powder dip is being used, the amount should be weighed accurately and made into a paste before being added to the water. Whether a fluid, powder or paste dip is being used, thorough mixing by stirring the bath is necessary to ensure that the dip is of the correct strength throughout. If this is not done, some of the lighter ingredients of the dip may be concentrated on the surface, and some of the heavier ingredients may fall to the bottom of the dip. Repeated stirring and plunging is necessary if any delay takes Dlace during the day's operations, and a periodic use of the olunger will orevent much of the powder from settling in the bottom of the dip. Soft Water Best

Soft water, such us rain water, should be used if possible, as better mixing takes place. If hard water must be used it is necessary to counteract the hardness by the addition of 31b or 41b of washing soda per 100 gallons of water in the dip. With the soft water in a clean dip, the quantity: correctly measured, the exact amount of concentrate dip added and the whole thoroughly stirred and prepared in advance, all that is necessary before dipping begins on the following morning, is the free use of the plunger from one end of the bath to the other to ensure the suspension of the active dipping ingredients.

Preparing the Sheep As for the sheep, certain precautions are also necessary. The sheep should be thoroughly rested immediately before dipping, and should have free access to water. Heated or driven sheep will be seriously affected by dipping, and, even in the absence of a cold night or adverse weather setting in, are much more subject to pleurisy or pneumonia. Dirty or daggy sheep should be cleaned up to prevent fouling of the bath and reducing the effectiveness of the dip. The dipping should be carefully supervised, and each animal allowed to breathe after its first immersion before the crutch is used to immerse the head again. A rest in the draining pen is necessary to remove all surplus dip from the fleece and to enable the animal to recover from the shock of the immersion. Biting dogs should not be used in the mustering and yarding, as there is a danger of absorption of poison through the broken bite wounds. In regard to the weather, a good day should be selected, and the dipping of rested sheep should be started early. Dipping operations should cease early in the afternoon iO enable the last sheep put through t o Jry out as much as possible before nightfall Dipping of Rams

Extra care is necessary in the dipping of rams. These animals are generally dipped early as, with the approach of the breeding season, there is a greater risk of mortality taking place. In the case of very fat or valuable stud rams, spraying or careful hand immersion may be followed in order to avoid any risk of loss. Dipping is such a necessary and important part of sheep farming in order to eradicate and prevent parasitic infestation of the sheep that these notes would convey ti wrong impression if dipping were considered a dangerous cause of mortality With reasonable attention to detail, as suggested, no owner should suffer losse.s of sheep following dipping.

FAT PIG KILLINGS

ALARMING DECLINE 127,000 FEWER PORKERS DIFFERENTIAL PRICE URGED A serious decline in fat pig killings for the season to the end of February was announced by Mr W. A. Phillips, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Co-operative Pig Marketing Association, Ltd. Mr Phillips said that porker killings had declined by 127,000, although baconers had shown an increase of 32.000. Against the corresponding figures for last year, these figures represented a deficit of 95.000 pigs, or a fall of 32 per cent. Although in terms of weight this loss would be reduced to about 20 per cent., the continued substantial fall in the Dominion's export killings was a matter calling for the serious attention of all concerned in the industry. Loss to Dairy Industry

Over the last three years the decline in pig production had meant a financial loss to the country's dairy industry of nearly three-quarters of a million sterling. Quite apart from the patriotic appeal for increased production of this highly-rated food for the fighting forces, there was nothing which offered the dairy farmer quicker and greater profit for his labour and capital investment.

Killings of suckled sows or choppers had shown a marked increase this season. This might be due to the limited commandeer market for porkers and the correspondingly fewer sows which needed to be kept for baconer production. Erroneous Impression

However, far too many of these had been disposed of for slaughter because of the erroneous impression created by the flat rate f.o.b. price for any kind of pig up to 1801 b. Had a differential price for quality and weight in accordance with normal practice been maintained, a greater number of pigs could have been reared of a higher average quality with a correspondingly greater return to the producer. "The emergency which necessitated a commandeer price for the country's exports," said Mr Phillips, " should not be used as an excuse to slacken the Dominion's efforts in aiming at higher standards of quality. There is no logical reason why, as in the case of lambs, the f.o.b. price for pigs should not be adjusted to reflect a preferential return for quality in accordance with normal trade standards, and thus provide the only effective incentive to protect the country's future market.".

of trial dates:— Pateafoa ..-.. ... ,. Mar. 28, 29, 30 Kyebiirn .-.* -.. .. Apr. 4, 5, 6 11, 12 (Waitaki) ,..; ... .. Apr. 9, 10, Kuriwao .'. ■■•>'' .. Apr 12, 13 Omarama ....'. ■ ,. Apr. 15, 16, 17 Warepa -■• ..■ .. •• ,. Apr. 18, 19 St. Bathans .. .. Apr. 22. 23, 24 Toko (IVIilton) .. May 10, 11 Waihemo .. .. May 16, 17, 18 Wanaka .... .. May 20, 21, 22 Lowburn .. .. May 23, 24, 25 Miller's. Flat .: .. May 27, 28, 29 Palmerstoh' .. .. May 30, 31, Jun. 1 Tokarahl'v. .. ' ;. Jun. 4. 5. 6. 7 (Otago. Championships) 12 .27 Ngapara .,;. . r ..-. ; TuajJeka ..'.., .,. Jun. .. Jun,' 10, 25, .11. 26,