SOUTH LA ND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3518, 16 August 1921, Page 10

SOUTH LA ND AG RICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Ocb Own Correspondent.; Anyone travelling in Southland cannot fail lo observe tne wonderful greenness in tile grass paddocks generally, and in many instances tne number of stock still grazing, mere seems to bo more roughness ot feed in the dairying districts. 'LL lie straw seems looked alter and conserved for feeding purposes. Instead of cows or other cattle getting at the straw stacks to feed and waste it considerably, it is now more generally carted out and put in heaps in a grass paddock to be eaten. Another feature very noticeable is the amount of turnip crops still untouched, and how cleanly eaten off, whether by cattle or sheep. Many crops are already shooting into seed, and if to be depended upon to carry well into spring to let the grass get well away, it will require the stock to be given a free run over right away. A greater area has been ploughed than there has been for many years. This clearly indicates a. larger area going into crop. There may be some turned over for renewing the pasturage and for turnips, but the strong demand there has been for oats of A grade is to satisfy seed requirements. Those who got wheat sown in good time cannot fail to be pleased with the strong and healthy appearance of the braird, there having been no unfavourable weather to check it. In the Dominion generally, where grass grows for so many months of the year, there is a tendency to overlook providing sufficiently for the short season when herbage may be scanty, and that the pasturage should be given a rest to recuperate. It ought to be kept in mind that, although well grassed, well watered, and otherwise well treated, pastures may comprise, say, a 90 per cent, of acreage in good grass, yet it is always possible to improve it, and get the maximum out of it. If pastures were attended to and farmed as well as the ploughed land is, it would be just as profitable to do so. The grass land would be made to produce more meat, wool, and milk more profitably. It is to be regretted there is not more top-dressing- with lime this season; but as a substitute a fair dressing of young pastures with superphosphate, and a few pounds of grass seed and clover sown, . and well harrowed, it might double the yield of the pasturage. While very few new dairy factories are being erected a very considerable number will have to make additions for an increased intake. This is more so with the smaller factories having a milk supply from only a few hundred cows. T do not know of any testing associations being formed. The highly payable price of butter-fat will militate against that. There is the statement, said to be made by Mr Singleton, that cf a total of 909,000 cows in New Zealand only a very small number have been tested. The factories are now receiving inquiries for the disposal of this season’s output, but no keen movement is yet apparent, although the report that the Imperial Government has offered to purchase the output of the Dominion at llgd may be quite untrue, offers for butler at 2s Id "until the end of October may be correct, and as much, and possibly more, may be on tamed for a further period. As the buyers invariably approach and try to deal with some cf the larger factories first, it seems the purchase of 500 tons, the estimated output. of Mataura, at a satisfactory figure by the TC.M. and A. Company (as agents for Mills, Sparrow, and Co.) may bo quite correct. Quite a novel sale was that of tho disposal of 6100 opossumskins by auction at Wyndham on the 6th inst. There' was a large attendance of the general public, who took a. keen interest in the matter. There must have been about 200 people present, and the gathering comprised 20 or move regular skin-buyers. The bidding was fairly brisk, and at prices that must have been remunerative. The priees ranged from a little under 5s to over 11s. It is believed the skins from the southern or lower half of the Dominion will be better furred than anywhere else, not excepting their native home. The trapping for one month in the wooded ranges behind Mokoreta does not seem to have very seriously diminished their numbers. There is a movement among several branches of the Farmers’ Union to discuss and deal with tho mill-workers’ award and proposed farm labourers’ award, and labour questions generally. Farm labourers seeking employment are open to engage for a stated no find at a. considerable reduction from what has been the general rate for n few vears. Most are agreed that, until the nvceedfl for another year’s produce are in hand, and the results of the year’s transactions have taken effect, there will he no great material alteration, neither in wages nor in the position of mnnv farmers.