SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3556, 9 May 1922, Page 14

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Otjr Own Correspondent.) With the subsidenc of the rough, stormy, and quite unsettled weather, which has prevailed for about two months, making harvest operations difficult, tedious, and almost impossible, we are now experiencing a considerable improvement. A brief continuance of fair weather would see everything secured. The result -of the season generally is that only those who had secured their crop before the weather broke have either thrashed, or can do so. and will have a bright, clear sample of grain. Those who did not will be constrained to leave it in the stack until the drying spring winds have dried it sufficiently. Whilst the weather was deplored for destroying grain crops, there was always sufficient warmth to be helpful for the growth of growing crops. The turnips seemed to benefit very much, as also did the pastures. The second growth of rape came away remarkably well with some, thus producing more cixtra feed. Despite the grass doing more than holding its own. the stormy weather told heavily upon milk production. Even with plenty of feed there was a rapid falling off. The test at the factories has not risen in proportion to the fall in the volume of milk. Some cannot make out why it is that, while they have good cows, in the pink of condition, with plenty of feed, and milking fairly well, their test should not bo higher. All through the season it is much lower than some of their neighbours, with cows of the. opposite extreme, and grazing on dirty and poor pastures. It is gratifying to notice the decided increase in the output of cheese for the last season. It might have shown better if the period had been from the Ist of October to the 30th April, and in that case 100.0CQ crates of cliecise might easily have been reached or exceeded. That taken along with the great increase, in butter production, shows what the possibilities for the future may lie. Southland generally, being more adapted for cattle and dairying than any other* form of production, will develop in that direction very largely in the not far-distant future. There are already movements tn several districts for new factories, and some who were moving and making inquiries last season are having meetings and canvassing for milk supply. One difficulty not easily overcome presents itselt. While a sufficient number of cows can be promised, the initial cost of erecting a factory, with an up-to-date plant with all requirements, including a pasteuriser has to be faced at a heavy cost, as a first-class article in the quality of the cheese to command a good market is absolutely necessary. Some of the older factories require extension and renewal, and to add to dilapidated, old buildings, already not affording sufficient convenience, the older and more experienced consider sheer "There have been larger quantities of soft or white-fleshed turnips sown for lamb feed and autumn feeding than has hitherto bean the case. Not so much has been put ,in swedes as usual. Dairymen especially have been finding they have had more trouble with cows when depending upon swedes in the spring than with soft or yellowfleshed turnips. With the latter they can

use more fodder, and require it, and the cows have come in in better condition, the wastage of grain in stook is already supplying more cattle feed, and will help bii'gcly to supplement winter requirements. be Yt ood lands Meat Preserving Works under the new company seem to be going ahead as far as active operations are concerned.' Mr James Milne, of Rakahouka, tne energetic and enterprising chairman, will not fail in any effort to make the undertaking a success. Encouraged probably by the apparent successful undertaking of tlus company, a Southland meat pool, to include a certain amount of combination _ in the better management and control in the disposal of beef-, is being freely mooted, of which later more may possibly be heal'd.