STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3828, 26 July 1927, Page 19

STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Weekly stock Sales. Burnside, Wednesdays. Addington, Wednesdays. Waiareka Bailway Junction, Tuesdays Fortnightly. Riversdale, Fridays (Starch, April, and May). Wa'.lacetown, Tuesdays. Ashburton, Tuesdays. Heriot, Thursdays. WinWn, Thursdays. Wyndham, Thursdays. Clinton, Thursdays.' Balolutha, Fridays. Gore, Tuesdays. Monthly. Edendale, Ist Monday. Palmerston, 4th Thursday. Winton, 4th Tuesday. Mataura, Ist Thursday. Tokanui, 4th Monday

Monthly (continued). Duntroon, 2utl Wednesday. Woodlands, 3rd Wednesday. Milton, 2nd Tuesdar. Balfour, 3rd Thursday, Thornbury, Ist Friday. Otautau, ’ 2nd Wednesday. Xliversdale. 3rd Friday (except March, April, and May). Waikaka, Inst Friday. Clydevale, last Friday Periodically as Advertised. Lumsden, Mossburn, Oreptiki, Waitnahaka, Waikouaiti. Riverton, Ngapara, and Otago Central Sales.

! OTAGO. Open weather, but unduly cold at times, was experienced during the week in Otago, with many sunny hours. There is still • on the high lands n<><»the wind blows one generally knows. It ia a good winter, .. looking well. At Clinton there was only a handful of sheep carded, some ewe nogge.s making 28s 6d. At Milton there was also a small entry, 4 and 6-tooth wethers making 265, mixed sex hoggets 19s 6d. and seme ancient ewes 13s Bd. At. Balclutha some 20(0 sheep and 159 cattle were yarded, mixed young ewes making 335, fair 15s to ISs Gd, old 6s to 9s, v. ether hoggets 17s (id to 2Cs, ewe hoggets 26s 5d to 275. A line of 100 head of three and four-year-old bullocks,

good colours. made: —Best four-year-olds £ll 18s to £l2 3s, second draft £8 15s to £9. Prices at all the weekly fixtures were deemed to be fairly satisfactory. BURNSIDE MARKET. The yarding of fat cattle at Burnside totalled 245, compared with 133 the previous week. Prime bullocks and some well-finished heifers and cows were in fair supply, together with some plain big cattle and medium females. The opening demand was not promising, and market values were a few shillings per head lower than at the previous sale, but a fair sale ensued for best quality bullocks and heifers. The entry of fat sheep was comparatively small following upon the previous week’s offering, the yarding totalling 1692, compared with 1460 at the sale a week ago. The quality was better, however, some excellent pennings of heavy sheep being featured, also ewes, together with very fair to medium sorts of both light wethers and ewes. A very keen sale, if very irregular, ensued. Open ing a little in advance of last week’s closing rates, the demand hardened, and, with here and there some easement, finished on the last race at shillings better than opening prices. It was a difficult sale to follow, 'fluctuating as it did. but on the general run of prices an average rise of 3s per head may be recorded. In 'daces this was much exceeded, and in ome instances agents would secure less than the quoted advance, doubtless because at their sale a week ago, they received highest values in an erratic market. Butchers' wethers, well clad and weighty, on an average made to 7l<l per lb. a rise of, say. lid per lb in a fortnight, or on good average sorts 6s per head.

_A small entry of mixed-quality lambs— Gil. compared with 383 the previous week —sold fairly well, but backward sorts were dull, and freezing lambs unchanged. Heavy lambs were cheaper by Is Gd per head. ..Freezing lambs made to Bid per lb.

The store cattle entry was a moderate one, comprised of fair cows and some 35 fair three-year-old steers and oddments. Conditioned cows were dearer, but steers were somewhat slow of sale, one pen making £8 ss. Others were passed at auction, but subsequently were placed. The fat pigs penned totalled 113 (76 at ’previous sale), and, except porkers, were cheaper than a week ago. Stores met with a better demand by a few shillings per head, the entry being light. Bacon pigs may be quoted as making around 5Jd and porkers to 7’d per lb. STOCK NOTES. There is a decided better tone in the stock markets of Otago this month than last, but the stock changing hands is by no means large, and is confined practically to fat sheep and cattle. There are buyers for store stock, but not many are offering. The improved tone is not confined to any one province, there being good inquiry for best grades of breeding ewes, hoggets, and dairy cows throughout the North Island. Fat sheep values at Burnside yards made a very rapid advance, which was reminiscent of wartime prices, but it is not likely they will prevail for any length of time. Several factors conduced to high rates. For instance, early buying by country buyers on a moderate yarding following a previous poor week's supply put some butchers who had held off the market at their wit’s end. and—they waded in to buy such sheep as were left. They had to pay big per lb prices in the circumstances, but bid manfully. Some pennings of wethers were quoted as making 60s. As a matter of fact, one particularly good four-tooth wether, a Suffolk-Down cross, made 60s—a very fine extra heavy sheep, but only one. Many pennings. however, of our best sheep from Kelso, Tapanui, and Southland made 50s per head and over. Although stock business is at a somewhat low ebb in Otago, a few transactions have been effected, ewe hoggets being placed at 29s Gd (delivery soon), mixed hoggets (60 per cent, ewes) at 29s (de-

livery December), ha’fbred two-tooth wethers at 25s 6d (deii'ery in a week), all being fair-sized Hues.

It is reported that ai the recent ram sale in Sydney the char-pion Corriedale ram was bought by the judge of the section (a New Zealander) for 175gns. It will be interesting to view the animal if exhibited at the next New Zealand Royal Show. No time has been lost by Canadian breeders in hastening to Scotland to secure stock since the embargo has been removed by the Government of the Dominion (says a correspondent). A first consignment of 60 cattle left the Clyde on June 4. Many of them were of the Ayrshire breed. There were also on board 280 pedigree sheep British Friesian cow, now 1 1 years old, lias for the fourth time (slates a Home exchange) exceeded the 2000 gal yield in the Ministry’s official milk recording year, and for the six consecutive years. 1920-21 to 1925-26—i.e., 72 consecutive months—she has averaged 2118 gals of milk per annum. The cow in question is the British Friesian Datehworth Princess, owned by Messrs 11. and T. Franklin, of Datehworth, Kncbworth, Herts. Trade in meat at the Smithfield meat market for the half-year ended June 30 was a record. Argentine supplied 81.7 per cent, of the total beef received, Australia 0.9 per cent.. New Zealand 0.4 per cent., and Great Britain 15.9 per cent. Of mutton and lamb sold at Smithfield, Argentine furnished 21.9 per cent.. Australia 13.2 per cent., New Zealand 42.1 per cent, and Great Britain 22.7 per cent. The interesting feature of the trade at Smithfield for the six mouths was the increased supply of poultry from Australia, which amounted to 10.2 per cent, of the total.

No breed society in this country is conducted (states our Home correspondent) with more thoroughness than that controlling the interests of Aberdeen-Angus cattle. The society has adopted a system for the tatooing of calves which comes into operation on June 1. After that date all calves must be tatooed with the appropriate designations and numbers within one month of their birth, and notification of birth and of tatoo numbers must be made each month in order to qualify animals for entry in the Herd Book. CLYDESDALES POISONED. Dominion breeders of Clydesdales will be sorry to learn that Mr Victor Dahlenburg, who recently sold his stud farm at Nhill, Victoria, and purchased the Killara homestead at Cnlcairn, New South Wales, has suffered severe losses of stud horses. Three of the animals picked up cyanide baits and died, and one died from pneumonia. The horses lost were: Blackwood Salome, imported from Scotland, champion of the Wagga Show and winner of various championships in Scotland, valued at 500gns; Princess Douglass, imported from New Zealand, champion mare of New Zealand, and winner of various championship prizes in the Wimmera, valued at 500gns; Lady 'Mae, imported from New Zealand, winner of prizes throughout New Zealand and the Wimmera. valued at 400gns; Lady Craigie, filly foal, valued at 300gns. ECLIPSE OF FROZEN BEEF. The London correspondent of the Pastoral Review, writing under date May 5, 1927, says: The laconic comment on the situation current in the frozen beef market made by Messrs W. Weddel and Co., Ltd., in their last market circular, namely, that of April 29, is as follows:-—•’This commodity is quite uncalled for on Smithfield market. Quotations are nominal.’ This summing up of the frozen beef position here is frank, but to the point. So far as the writer knows, it is the most complete eclipse of this section of the trade which has been recorded since its commencement, and none will say that the situation is incorrectly described by the market commentator. Side by side with what is reported at the consuming end regarding the present state of the frozen beef trade one may place the views of the Beef Freezing Committee of the Australian Research Council as contained in the report printed in the March number of the Pastoral Review. The committee does not fail to point to all the difficulties lying between the trade and an effectual revival. Breed of beef, works organisation, and much else are clearly set out so that those interested may know the whole story. “ The committee refers to the worldwide extension of meat raising, but it does not draw attention to the fact that the United States of America is probably on the brink of meat importation on a considerable scale once more. This is a factor much more favourable to all producing countries in the southern hemisphere, because of its repercussive effect on other overseas beef markets. Meanwhile the chilled beef struggle proceeds, and there is not the slightest sign of its cessation at present.’’ GROUP HERD TESTING. Dairymen in most parts of the Dominion have now realised the value of the group system of herd testing, and associations have sprung up in a great many districts. Otago, however, is slow in taking the cue provided by neighbouring provinces. South Canterbury ami Southland have both tackled the question with excellent results, and in both these provinces there are herd-testing associations which have grown with amazing rapidity and whose members are keener than ever. Once a dairyman has sampled the benefits to be derived from bodies of this sort he is loth to sever his connection with an organisation which is calculated to bring his production a little rearer the maximum. Otago has not taken kindly to the system at all. The Waikouaiti-Waihcino Herd-testing Association, after one or two very lean years, has at.last begun to make some headway, and it is expected that every year will net ease its usefulness. Its members are more eager than ever to carry on the work. South of Dunedin our correspondent says he can think of no existing association until we cross the boundary into Southland, and one is tempted to wonder why it is that dairymen in South Otago have ignored the

possibilities in the group system. However, some of those who have tasted the fruits of herd testing in Southland are casting concerned glances in the direction of Clutlia and the surrounding districts, ami it is rumoured that a move will be made in the very rear future to endeavour to interest dairymen in South Otago in one of the surest means of insurance against waste and low production. It is understood that the directors of one of tho Southland associations are prepared to organise in South Otago with a view to establishing groups wherever sufficient interest can be found. But these men can only go half way. Tho SouthOtago folk must fend for themselves to some extent. and exhibit enough enthusiasm and energy to convince their neighbours that the launching of a project will be worth while. The Southland Herd-testing Association, consisting of 207 members, testing 7537 cows, has just completed its third year’s operations. Starting in 1924, with 23 members, with 1293 cows under test, tho average per cow was 183.731 b of butter-fat for 190 days. This season’s figures reached 216.661 b for 215 days, for 6223 cows. In all 7537 cows were tested, but in cases where owners take samples and weights of milk for small herds, and cows in tho “B” class there were 1314. They are not included in the average The idea of the "Ji” class (for cows calving between January 1 and July 1) is to get an owner to test all the animals in his herd. If they produce more than 1601 b of butter-fat the testing fee is charged; but if under that figure they are paid for. An instance of the benefits of testing is to be found in the following facts:—The highest cow in the association for 1926-27 produced 7951 b of fat worth about £53, and the lowest produced 791 b, at the same price worth £5 5s 4d. Without testing tho respective owners would have been unable to gauge the production of the animals Tho highest herd totalled 3291 b per cow for the season, and the lowest 1451 b. Unless the herd is tested regularly it is impossible for an owner to know which of his animals arc returning something for what they eat. The animal referred to above, returning 791 b of fat would eat just as much as the cow producing 795—but the difference in the returns is about £4B. It is surely false economy to feed Ixith alike when there is such disparity in the returns. And it must follow that it is also false economy of tho most foolish type to neglect, herd testing, which supplies the only means whereby a dairyman can gauge with any accuracy the respective returns of his cows. It is hoped to make a start in the Stirling district if sufficient interest can be roused, and it is here that the first South Otago group will be most likely be established. A group consists of 26 members, on whom the tester calls monthly from October to May. Farmers with small herds on payment of a, reduced fee, can have samples tested by the association officer, provided they take the samplesand weights of milk' each month. The working expenses of each group are kept separate, It is now up to South Otago to say whether it is prepared to join up for tho 1927-28 season. Tho opportunity is a good one, and should not be allowed to pass. The directors of the Southland Association have three years’ experience, which should prove of inestimable value to new groups. Most associations have to learn of tbeir mistakes, but South Otago farmers will bo able to take advantage of the experience already gained by those who have succeeded beyond expectations.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. Mr A. Bristow, of Pocklington, a strong advocate of bread being made of flour produced entirely from home-grown wheat, told his fellow-members of the East Yorks F.U. (says a Home exchange) that he would like to see the slogan. "The whiter the bread the sooner you’re dead,” painted on the tailboard of every farm cart in the country. And so say all of usl. A June niTinber of the Scottish Farmer says: “ Each year as the removal term comes round, when large numbers of farm workers are released by their employers, there is seen the usual burst of emigration to Canada. If anything, the rush this term is bigger than last year, one ship alone, the Anchor-Donaldson liner Athenia. being due to carry from Scotland over 900 Scots this week, mostly young settler* for Western Canada. The farm workers on the passenger list set up almost a record for numbers, there, being somewhere in the region of 400.” Agricultural and pastoral prospects have been considerably improved by the rainfall, which was general during the last week-end over the greater portion of Victoria, and also brought some useful falls to New South Wales and South Australia (states the Australasian of the 9th inst.). Although much more rain is necessary to secure growth of crops and pasture, at this time of the year evaporation is comparatively small, and the; maximum benefit is obtained from light rain. In the wheat areas the. rain was sufficient to germinate seed and enable farmers who were waiting for more favourable conditions for seeding to push on with the work. The warmer conditions which have prevailed since the rain have been favourable to growth, and as the weather conditions generally appear to indicate a breaking up of the dry spell hope is inspired that the season will ultimately turn out to be satisfactory. Sydney dairy. produce houses have experienced a seasonable shortage of cheese, and have been forced, in many cases, to draw on cold-stored stocks to meet requirements. Inter-State and New Zealand supplies were also coming forward to some extent, although most of the latter, it was reported, were being transhipped. The Commercial Dairy Company, Eltham, has had a successful season, and is laying out a penny bonus on all butter-fat supplied during the five heavy-producing months. The bonus is being paid on a. conservative basis, and if is hoped later to pay out a further bonus. “The telephones are beating him,” said the ehairman of the Wanganui County Council (Mr A. D. Mackintosh) when a letter before a council meeting drew attention to the practice of farmers warning each other by telephone of the ranger’s approach along certain roads (the XVanganui Chronicle reports). An additional ranger residing in the area concerned was> appointed. The rabbit post for many years had been a serious menace to the dairy farmer

in many parts of Waikato (says an 1 exchange). Departmental inspectors now I report that farms which a few years ago 1 carried hundreds of rabbits are now al- £ most clear of the pest. Improved farming < methods, the realisation by farmers of the ■, quantity of feed rabbits consume, and the J more general use of phosphorous poison * are responsible for the improvement. ] Shortly before midday on Sunday week i fire completely destroyed three stacks of oat I s sheaves on the property of Mr A. M’Kay, at Halkett, near Christchurch. When tho , fire started tho owner was at a neighbour’s place, and before he could get back tho flames had such a hold that to save any part of the stacks was a hopeless task. In a very short time tho stacks wore reduced to a smouldering mass. They were estimated to cut out about 20 tons of chaff, and as there was no insurance on thorn the fire meant a direct loss of between £BO to £9O to Mr M’Kay. At the meeting of the committee of tho Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Tuesday Mr J. M'Gregor referred to tho restrictions imposed by the City Council in regard to driving stock from the yards at Burnside. Ho stated that cattle were not allowed to leave Burnside until 10 o'clock at night if they had to go through the north end of tho city. Tho cattle might come from Middlemarch or the far end of the Taiori Plain, and it might take them three or four days to recover from the effects of a journey. He referred to tho prosecution of a drover, who had been fined for driving cattle through North-East Valley during prohibited hours, and suggested that the society might see its way to take the matter up. He also mentioned that he had seen a mob of cattle going over the Anderson’s Bay road before. 5 p.m. on a Wednesday. The President (Sir George Fenwick) said the matter was worthy of attention. Ho thought the best plan would be to write to the town clerk with a request that the exact position should be explained, and they could discuss the matter at the next meeting. This suggestion was agreed to. Our special correspondent in Christchurch states that dogs which their owners have allowed to wander into Hagley Park at nights have accounted for the death of 20 sheep during tho past fortnight. Many of the sheep have been found on the following morning in a terribly mangled condition, but still alive. It is suggested that the City Council should pass a by-law prohibiting dogs owned in the city being allowed to wander at large at night. That the Government should put aside A block of land in charge of a thoroughly sepable man with a view to its .being

seel as a community farm by English üblio schoolboys brought out to New Zeamd under the Flock House scheme was uggested by Mr R. S. Abraham, president of the New Zealand Association of ’ublic Schools of Great Britain, in an .ddress delivered to the Palmerston North .uncchon Club recently. “If a number of heso boys were brought out whoso relaives would be responsible for £l5OO to 22000, they could work the property as a immunity farm, receiving wages for their about,” continued Mr Abraham. “When ready they could be allotted blocks of and in proportion to the amount of capital they commanded, paying nothing for he land, but only for improvements which they themselves would make. They could make their own lawn tennis courts, golf courses, etc., and would be able to preserve the old school traditions under which they have been brought up.” Mr Abraham considered that such an experiment could be tried by tho Government as there were many boys who, coming out by themselves, might fritter away what little capital they had, doing no good to themselves or to the country. “If a man waits until he can pay for what he wants he will get very little in life,” said Mr J. W. M. Dart at the Ashburton Power Board meeting the other morning (says the Guardian). It was stated that many farmers preferred io wait till they could pay for electric cookers before they installed them. Mr Gordon Duthie presided over a meeting of the Taieri Agricultural Society on Thursday night at Outram, when there was a good attendance of members of committee. The date of the summer show was fixed for Saturday, November 19. All the . judges for the show were appointed, and a canvass of the various districts arranged. The show schedule was revised and a section added for milking shorthorns. It was reported to the meeting that all loose-boxes, stalls, and new sheep pens had been completed.