STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3278, 10 January 1917, Page 9

STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

THE DRY WEATHER. The weather for a fortnight preceding' Friday last was, although pleasant holiday weather, far too dry for farmers with areas of turnips and rapo just turning blue, and grass going off every day. Store stock, as a result, fell away in price, good sorts of heifers and cows being dull of sale at all Otago stock centres; in places two pounds lower than late best rates. Sheep transactions, too, were made at lower values, and graziers arc loth to increase their stock, rather preferring to do their ewes and lambs well. Fortunately, at the time of writing the outlook is more promising, a good rain having fallen on Friday night, nearly an inch of rain being recorded at Dunedin, Clinton, and round the Greenfield district. Some smart showers have fallen since then, and should freshen up turnips and clovers. No word is through yet as to how far north the rain showers prevailed, or whether Central Otago. has benefited to any extent.

BTJKNSIDE MARKET. Tho sheep yarded in the fat section at Burnside were all out of the wool, and comprised a largo proportion of plain vethers and fat ewes, few pens of heavy quality sheep being forward. The demand opened well at prices close up to holiday rates, but fluctuated and eased perhaps Is a head for ordinary sorts, heavy prime, however, maintained . opening values. Northern butchers secured a few pens, but graziers wanting rain were slow to bid. A pen or two of aged fine-woolled wethers from the Central made from 22s to _ 235. About 200 fat lambs moro than satisfied the trade, who were able to secure supplies at shillings lower than late rates.. The quality of an average yarding of fat cattle was very fair The proportion of heifers and medium cows was rather above the usual, some 80 head being penned. The demand was very fair indeed for best steer beef, and prices ranged at about up to 46s for bullock and 37s 6d to 40s for heifer -and cow beef per 1001 b. The store cattle forward, some 200 in all, were rather good sorts, although grown steers were scarce. The demand, however, was poor, and good heifers and empty cows, made considerably less money, and, generally, weather conditions affected prompt sales, except at reduced rates on those recorded a fortnight ago. good sorts fell away 30s a head. Very small entries of pigs, resulted in very firm values. ADDINCTON YARDS. The yarding of fat sheep at Addinglon was a fairly large one, but the quality was of a lower range than recent offerings on account of continued dry weather. Values ruling were just about freezing rates —say 6id per lb for wethers and 6d per lb for ewes over all. Although the effects of the dry weather were evident among many of the fat lambs yarded, the demand was very firm at about B£d per lb over all. exporters practically taking the lot. Store sheep were not yarded in large supply, and late rates were well maintained. Tlic yarding comprised mostly ordinary wethers and inferior ewes. A large yarding of fat cattle were forward, arid made in spite of erratic buying rates, generally up to previous quotations. The trade evidently had storks on hand, as business was more or less confined to export buyers who kept values from coming back considerably. The store cattle pens wore only partially availed of by young sorts. Good cattle and forward empty cows sold freely at rates well up to last year's latest quotations. Dairy cows were in request, and a small lot made round about £l2 10s. and inferior £5 to £9. Fat. pigs sold well, but a small entry of stores elicited but meagre competition. COUNTRY SALES. The sale of stock usually held at Clinton on Thursday was postponed for a'-fortnight on account of the fixture at Burnside. The Bale at Bulelutha was, in view of the dry weather extending both north and south, fairly good. The attendance was large, and visitors were present from Canterbury and tho Bluff. Prices of sheep were easier, probably about Is 6d a head, and the yarding of some 4000 was cleared at the following prices. Four-tooth ewes at 325, fourtooth wethers at 295, and a. line of about 1000 two-tooth ewes made _ 26s 3d, and tho two-tooth wethers (same line) 21s 3d. and small cull two-tooths IPs. Tho sale of cattle at Palniorston on Monday was a very fair one. -and values were rather belter than obtainable at most stock oentres in thi.i province. The few rain showers falling at the time of the sale ivoro indicative of a possible soaking, and served to help rates generally. Tho yarding com-

prised about 200 head of cattle, chiefly forward cows and boners and young stuff. A few sheep were yarded, but were not sold at auction.

NORTH ISLAND STOCK VALUES. Stock transactions were curtailed in the North Island on account of the holidays, but in many centres the demand is strong for well-bred cattle, while sheep are somewhat easier. Values at selected centres are about as follows: —In the Wairarapa good lines of cattle are hard to secure, cows and heifers make from £l2 to £l4. An owner has been offered £7 per head for all his steer calves at weaning time for a period of four years, but, needless to say, they are something extra; still, it indicates faith in future values of breeding- beef cattle on extended linos. In the Poverty Bay district cows with calves at foot made £lO 10s to £l4 10s_, two-year-old steers £9 5s to £lO, three-year-olds to £l4 10s, 100 polled Angus steers £l2 15s, storo cows £8 to £9 10a, medium two-tooth wethers 25s to 265, lambs 20s to 23s 6d. In the Manawatu values of sheep cased somewhat: mixed hoggets to 37s 6d, forward shorn ewes to 295, yearling steers to £6. year and a-half to £7, speyed cows £ll 10s to £l2 10s. In Hawke's Bay prices were easier; year and-a-half steers sold to £7 10s, ordinary cows with calves £8 10s, four and five year old shorn owes with 100 per cent, lambs 46s 6d, two-tooth wethers 22s to 265.

STOCK NOTES. The stock exported from the Dominion for the month of November was as follows:—2so sheep, 31 cattle, 37 pigs, and 22 horses to the Eastern Pacific, while 72 cattle and three horses were consigned to Australia. One Shorthorn bull from London, on account of George Gould, Christchurch, and two Suffolk Down rams, for same owner, comprised the stock importations. At tho Edgecotc sale of Shorthorns 42 head averaged £IS6 12s 6d, which is a record for tho breed in England since 1884, when R. E. driver's herd made an average of £2Bl 6s for 50 head. Although there were not so many catalogued at Edgecote as at the sale last year, the quality was excellent. Twenty-three bulls, the oldest 17 months, made £254 12s a piece, 850 gs being top price. The 19 cows averaged £126 8s lOd.

Mr Cazak'fc's Shorthorns also attracted the attention of exporters and others, 49 head averaging £l5O 13s, the 21 bulls making £l9O a piece, and the cows and heifers averaging £l2O 12s. Mr Harrison's Shorthorns (Darlington) made- even better money than tho above, one of his bulls realising llOOgs, while for a cow 400-Jts was paid, the 45 head averaging £ll6 2s 7d. The Sydney Stock and Station Journal reports that at Mr R. CJlasson's Hazlewood property, near Blaynoy, where shearing finished recently, 14,000 sheep were put through. On one day shearing crossbred ewes and lambs, the shed's complement of eight shearers put through 1707 sheep, an average of 213 a man, which is considered a record for New South Wales. In the United States a device has been patented which secures the automatic marking of sheep during breeding season. In this part of the world this is carried out in a simple way by means of raddle. Tho American device consists of sheet metal plates, which are hung securely in place bv strong leather harness, adjustable to any size. Apparently, pressure forces open the spring-held covers to perforations in a flat metal receptacle, and through these perforations the marking fluid oozes, the openings being closed again by the action of the spring when the pressure is released.

A United States veterinarian, Dr A. S. Alexander, of Wisconsin, contends that every farmer should so learn to observe his animals in health as to be able to detect readily the slightest indication of ill-health. Dr Alexander quotes the case of a cattleman who became convinced that Ins animals had become affected with contagious foot and mouth disease, because they dropped saliva from the mouth, and appeared to be sick He sent a long distance for a veterinarian, who, upon arrival, found the lips and togues of the cattle filled with sharp needle-grass, to which the cattle had recently had access. The offending needles were extracted, so far as possible, and a simple mouth wash of borax solution was advised. In another case, a man called a veterinarian a distance of seven miles to determine what caused a big. hard lump on the face of a colt that had just been weaned. Tt was expected, of course, that the "vet." would cut open or slit the lump, but the forefinger did the worlc. A mass of fodder had lodged between the molar teeth and tho cheek, ami was easily loosened. The owner's chagrin at his own neglicrence was not mitigated by the "vet.V charge for his time and knowledge. Tn yet another case a doer had been hurt in tho foot, and his kindly-hearted mistress had put 'on a poultice, and had used a small rubber band to keep the cover in place. Naturally, the doe: ate the poultice, and the rubber bind was forcrotten. Presently a particularly ugly wound showed upon the foot, and puzzled everyone, getting steadily v,-orse, until tho veterinary surgeon found the rubber band—but too late f n save the foot. Assuredly, comments Dr Alexander, there is need for close observation in the handling of animnls. especially where there are indications of trouble tint may oecns : on suffering and loss. Needless to say. the forogoing need not be taken ns excusing thoughtless or careless ''poking round";

for that, too, may become costly in more ways than one. 1 AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. The prospect of the Government offering ! to buy New Zealand-grown wheat at a fixed price for a period of two or three years Is stated to be interesting some North Island farmers who in the past have not . used their land for grain production. There | is plenty of land in tho island suitable for : wheat-growing, and if settlers were assured of a price not lower than 4s 9d per bushel i they might be glad to break up some of their fields. The immediate return would be : fairly profitable even if the yield was low, I and the ultimate effect in tho improvement of the pastures would be important. A Press Association message from Wellington informs us that tho Hon. Mr MacDonald stated on Friday regarding the butter position that the licensing authority (Mr Triggs) was now in a position to make an interim payment of 2d per pound by way of compensation to those factories supplying butter to the local market. Factories doing their own patting and disj tributing aro placed on the same footing |as those supplying butter through tho middleman.

The problem of transporting tho wheat purchased in Australia by Great Britain is not an easy task. It is intended to lift tho 3,000,000 tons, in addition to the unshipped portion of her last purchase of 500.000 tons. To do this it will be necessary to provide a fleet of more than 500 vessels of an average capacity of 6COO tons—a diversion of shipping which will have a serious effect on the world's freight market. It is considered that in order to shift the wheat which fiho has bought Great Britain will have to assume complete control of all shipping, and in that event first consideration would probably bo given to such products as she has bought f.0.b., such as wool, wheat, skins, etc. The French Vice-Consul for New Zealand advises that a sample fair will bo held at Lyons, France, from Ist to 15th March next, on similar lines to those of last year's fair at that place. The fair will again be open, not only to foreign buyers, but also to tho manufacturers of tho Allies and neutral countries.

As lucerne-growers know to their cost, the dodder post is one of their worst enemies, and it is interesting to note that an American farmer claims that he lias met this trouble successfully by pasturing pigs on the lucerne. Writing to the Breeders' Gazette, he says that last year he did not have a pig on his place; this year he has over 200. In part of his lucerne, which ho enclosed for pasture for the pigs be included the worst of tho dodder-infested places. Several of tho pigs got out almost every day, and ranged over the paddocks. Tliis year there has been no appearance of dodder in his paddocks, and this fact ho attributes to tho efforts of the hogs.

On behalf of tho Victorian Farmers' i Union. Mr J. J. Hall, general secretary, I recently brought under tho notice of J tor Russell the increased price of supcr- ! phosphates and the decrease in the quality, and asked that the matter be investigated | with a vehv to action for the protection of ; the producers. Mr Hall has now been inl formed that "action is being taken to fix j the maximum prices of the principal comI mercial fertilisers used in the Commoni wealth," Tt has been arranged in England between '. the War Office and Board of Agriculture ■ that the War Office should leave farmers i one able-bodied man to every team of ; horses, the jeny,-, to he the number of horses j required to plough any particular holding; [ one able-bodied man to every 20 cows in j milk, with the assistance of a boy or | woman ; and one able-bodied man to every ! 200 sheep on enclosed land, exclusive of I lambs. Tn special cases the Board of Agrii culture may obtain modification of terms ! agreed upon. The men required for service j abroad were particularly those between 19 ! and 27. The Scientific American pives a descripj tion of a snvill motor engine designed lo carry out anv field labour which the farmer ; usually carried out bv hand transferring the labour from point to tvn'nt by lo.<r-powor. I A gasoline motor hangs between a pa'r of ■ wheel?, and propels th" apparatus wherever the man. who walks behind, directs I it. by means of a loner handle. A set of | hoes, rakes, a ploinrh-share, cultivator or i weeder c?n be attached to and worked bv ; the machine. The motor can be moved from oboe (o pbiee. and used on stationary 1 work, such as separating, churning, gnnd- ! Our Canterbury correspondent writes that (he viol 1 of wheat cops in Canterbury are jnot l : kelv to be better ih n> of Inst rear. Th's view 'is supported bv Mr J. Talbot, ehairmnn of the South Canterbury Farmers' Union, who ectimntes that the vieif] cannot exceed 25 1 per acre. The outerons he regards as a comparative r,;i,,,.., „„,i ~.-ii i,., the li-rhtest for rears. The dry weather In* also burned up all pasture lands and has swept awav any ehan.ee of an avernge tnrnin crop, so that the present outlook for Bin'tablo feed for fattening stock is gloomy in the extreme. Thoso viows may perhaps bo too gloomy.

Canterbury's recuperative powers aro surprising, and as it is understood Monday's rains reached South Canterbury the situation may yet be saved. The Pukeuri Freezing Works opened for tho season last week. Twenty-four butchers were engaged (says the North Otago Times), and seven more are to arrive in the course of a week or 10 days. In other branches of tho industry there was a full supplv of men. Owing to tho dry weather tho sheep have gone off in condition during the past three weeks, and tho quality of those now passing through tho works is not up to the standard of earlier expectations. The prospects would be greatly improved by a little rain, and a record season assured ; 1800 sheep were put through on the first day, and when the full complement of butchers aro_ engaged, and tho men have developed their best form, is is expected that 3500 will bo dealt with daily. Tho works were built with a holding capacity of 80,000 freight (601 b) carcases, and building contractors arc now busily engaged in providing accommodation for an additional 99.000 carcases. The new building will, it is hoped, be available for uso at an early date, and the work is being pushed on with all possible expedition. Tho lato Mr Carlisle Studholme's five freehold and leasehold properties, known as Pentland Hills, Kaiwarra, and Wuinono, will be offered for sale as going concerns, with stock, etc., at Waimato on Saturday, 27th inst., by Messrs Guinness and LeCreu.

Tho cocksfoot harvest has started in various parts of Banks Peninsula, and this week it will be general. If the present hot weather should continue a fortnight longer most of tho crops will be garnered. On tho Ist a considerable area of tho North Canterbury district had the benefit of a good fall of rain from tho east. The weather, however, cleared up all too soon. Tho rain will serve to fill out tho late crops and freshen the pasture. In Hawko's Bay harvesters are receiving 2s per hour. Boys are getting from Is 3d to Is 6d and found.

Visitors to Central Otago during the holiday season report the country very dry. About Alexandra and Omakau tho grass is burnt up, and there is littlo feed for stock. In some places tho sheep aro being turned into the oat crops. The grain crops in the Blonhcim district will yield heavily, though in tho Seddon district tho caterpillar is causing some damago to tho barley crops. Labour is scarce, and Is 6d per hour is being offered for harvester.

At a clearing sale in tho Bhaftsbury district, last week a dairy herd of 58 Jersey cows and heifers averaged £lB 9s od The highest price was £24 13s 6d. Many young farmers in South Taranaki, anticipating the time when they will be called up, are trying hard to quit their places, offering them at cost price, and on easy terms.

A record wool load was brought into Gun ning, New South Wales, a few days ago. It consisted of 75 bales, weighing 11 tons, and was drawn by 24 bullocks. Irish blight has done great harm to the potato crop of North Tasmania. All tho dairy factories are affected by tho prevailing- dryness (says the Wyndham Herald). The Menzies Ferry factory may be cited as an indication of tho general condition. Tho daily intake of milk a few days ago was 5060 gallons. On January 11 a year ago it was 3600 gal'ons.

It is not every locality that can boast, of a parson who shears his hundred sheep a day on week days and returns to town for the week-end and his church (says the Ensign). Tho services of Mr Matthew Bell, of the Gore Church of Christ, have lately been in much demand. Owing to thrashing mill owners not bring able to procure men to work their plants, many of the farmers in the Ashburton County who intended to thrash from the stook have been compelled to stack.

Weekly Stock Sales. Monthly (continued). Burnside, Wednesdays Mataura & Waikouaiti, Ashburton, Tuesdays 2nd Thursday Addington, Wednesdays Waiareka Kailway JuncRiverton, 3rd Thursday Wyndham, last Thurstion, Tuesdays day Fortnightly. Balfour & Thornbury, Clinton, Thursdays 1st Friday Balclutha, Fridays Duntroon & Otautau, Gore, Tuesdays 2nd Friday Oamaru, Tuesdays Eiversdale, 3rd Friday Wallacetown, Tuesdays Heriot Waikaka, last Friday Monthly. Periodically. Palmerston, 1st Monday Waipiata, Lumsden, Ngapara & Wiuton, 1st Mossburn, Orcpuki, Thursday Clifden