AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 10

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

The reputation gained by New Zealand as a breeding ground for high-class pedigree stock la being much discussed just now*. In his annual report to the New Zealand Friesian Association the president stated at Palmerston North recently, that inquir.es for Friesian stock from counties outside New Zealand were coming forward with greater frequency. Exportations had been made to Java, South Africa, Australia, and Fiji, record prices having been paid for New Zealand-bred animals to go outside the country. Upon this fact, breeders could be both complimented and congratulated. From what was taking place in the countries named, it looked as though a very fine export trade in Fricsians would be built up in the near future. To assist in tnat direction it was imperative that the breeders must breed from the best blood and devote particular attention to rearing their animals, so as to give them a proper chance when the testing period came along. Though the Friesians held all the records for milk and butter-fat, there must be no resting on the oars. At tho annual meeting of the Hereford Breeders’' Association it was stated that a number of Hereford cattle had been exported to South Africa—the first shipment of pedigree stock from New Zealand to that country. An exhibit of more than ordinary interest at the Winter Show in Palmerston North was a specimen of a new fodder plant known as Spanish Sulla. The seed of this was obtained through the Agricultural Department, and was planted at the Awahuri School in November last. The plant has grown to a height of six feet or more, and appears to bo well adapted to the district. In appearance, it is not unlike lucerne, and it is said to be eaten with relish by dairy stock. At the present time when the rabbit nuisance is seriously engaging the attention of farmers in many parts of the province a new type of rabbit trap, which has been designed by Air IT. L. Worthington, of Wellington, will doubtless attract a good deal of interest. Mr Worthington has placed his invention before the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Nosworthy) and the Prime Minister (Air Alassey), both of whom, ho states, have expressed the opinion that the device will provide an effective means of coping with the rabbit pest. The trap, which is in tho shape of a tunnel, is constructed entirely of wire, and it has doors on either side so that when it is laid along a fence the rabbits may enter from either side. Two of the important features are that the rabbits when caught are quite unharmed, and also that the trap may be lifted in sections and moved from place to place. Air Nosworthy further pointed out to the inventor that there would be a better growth of grass inside the trap than in the other parts of the paddock, and this would have a deckled effect in attracting the rabbits. He added that the device would prove a little more expensive to the farmer than wire netting, and if it proved as effective as he anticipated it would pay for itself within a very short space of lime. If it is successful it will also obviate the measure of cruelty attaching to the present method of trapping*. Air Worthington lias left for Clyde to join Air Horn, M.P., for tho purpose of visiting two well-known property owners in tlie Roxburgh and Miller’s Flat districts, where a suitable area will be laid out in order to give the invention a thorough and practical test. The decision of the Board of Trade to fix the minimum prices at which wool can be sold, and also to control the offerings at any sale and the export of wool, was touched on Friday by a Dunedin wool man who has a lengthy knowledge of the trade. He .said ihat the scheme could only be workable if the minimum reserves placed on the wool market were not unduly high, and unless the committee was satisfied to allow the minimum prices arranged to stand for a certain period, and not make any attempt to follow tlie market. If an attempt was made to rearrange the minimum reserves in accordance with sudden rises and falls in the market the committee would simply court disaster. The fixation

of a limit of offerings was a most excellent plan, and it had been suggested by the Dunedin Wool Brokers’ Association fully six months ago. This intention should have the support of every broker and grower trt the dominion. “As a matter of fact,” went on the Dunedin wool man, “at our sale last Alondov reserve minimum prices as fixed by the Producers’ Committee were agreed on, but they were so very low as to have no bearing whatever.” On tho present appearance of the market and the necessity of growers to dispose of their wool, there did not seem to be any likelihood that the fixation of prices would prevent Otago growers from selling their wools, and thereby adding to the present accumulations. The only wools that were likely to he held were in (he case of growers who were satisfied to take their chance in the hope of higher prices next season. The Dunedin wool man continued that an extension of the period over which sales should be held would be in tho interests of the wool position .generally. The financial position in other countries was just as bad as it was in New Zealand, and it must be much more convenient for manufacturers to have their supplies coming forward month by month than have to deal with heavy quantities in a short period of time. Under a system of limited catalogues and an extended selling season manufacturers could place repeat orders sale after sale, thereby bringing about an easement. of the general situation. At its meeting on Friday tlie Southland Metropolitan A. and P. Association considered the show dates recommended by the conference of representatives of societies from Soath Canterbury to Southland (wires our Invercargill correspondent). The meeting fell in with the suggestions for Win ton (November 23). Gore (December 6 and 7), and Invercargill (December 13 and 14). In regard to Otautau (December 21) and AVvndhain (December 3), it was decided to endeavour to get the associations affected, to agree to Otautau taking December 3 and Wyndham December 10. At the, annual meeting of the Sheepbreeders’ Association on Friday (telegraphs our Palmerston North correspondent), the president, Air S. R. Lancaster, said that the unfortunate slump in the wool and mutton markets was reflected in the membership returns, a decrease having to be reported, and it. was quite clear that members had been frightened out of the stud business, lie hoped, however, that (he setback which the sheep industry had experienced would not last for any considerable period. Already signs were not wanting that a revival was approaching, and prices were beginning to harden in both meat and wool. Though the prospects for (he future did not look too bright, there appeared to be a more confident tone prevailing, and he thought that tho Southdown breeders, who comprised the greater portion of the members, would be well advised to stick to their flocks and to keep them up to the highest standard possible. Fifteen new inemltcrs wore electee], the majority being Southdown breeders. Mr £5. R. Lancaster was re-elected president. LTnloss further supplies of stock are sent in. the New Zealand Refrigerating Company's Islington works and the Canterbury .Frozen Meat and Dairy Produce Export Company's Belfast and Fairfield works will close on July 2 (slates tlie Press). A branch of the Farmers’ Union has been formed at Tokarahi. with Mr 1,. Alurray as chairman, and Air W. E. Hughes as secretary. A well-attended meeting of the Milton branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held nn the 20th. The chairman 'Mr Jas. Lockhart) reported that Mr F. R. Milne had agreed to act as secretary in lieu of Mr Inglls, who had expressed a desire to be relieved of the office. It was resolved that a special minute be prepared testifying to the satisfaction Mr Inglis had given in the discharge of hi 3 duties over a. period cf some 17 years. Tlie chairman and secretary were authorised to make inquiries as to tlie formation of a wool-classing class, with a view to having one started at an early date. After the routine business had lieen disposed of, the meeting was addressed by the provincial organiser on “The Aims and Achievements of the Farmers' Union.” The Minister of Agriculture has suggested that it may become necessary to prohibit the exportation of rabbits and skins, in order to prevent the “farming” of rabbits (states the Southland Times). Three hundred and seventy-eight cwt of butter, valued at £5292. was exported from Greymouth in A'j ril. The export for the 12 months ended April 39 was 2637 cwt (£57.191). At tho last inonthly meeting of committee of the J?allace A. and P. Association it was decided to adhere to the original date fixed ltiion —viz., (he third Wednesday in November (the 16th) for the Otautau Show*. Corn sacks, according to Indian cable®, have advanced 22d a doAm for season’s shipments from Calcutta (says an Australian exchange), and hundreds of bales have been recently placed with Victorian farmers Every farmer who delivered wheat into Ihe 1920-21 pool, or is prepared to submit a statutory declaration to the effect that lie intends to sow* at least 10 acres with wheat during the coming season, will shortly be invited to say whether lie desires a continuance of the cooling system or a return to pre-war conditions of marketing.