STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 19

STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Weekly Stock Sales. Burnside, Wednesdays. 'Addington, Wednesdays. .Waiareka Hailway Junction, Tuesdays Fortnightly. Biveredale, Fridays (March, April, and May). .Wallaoetown, Tuesdays. Ashburton, Tuesdays. Heriot, Thursdays. Winton, Thursdays. ' Wyndham, Thursdays. Clinton, Thursdays. Balolutha, Fridays. Core, Tuesdays. Monthly. Edendale, Ist Monday. Palmerston, 4th Thursday. • Winton, 4th Tuesday. Mahaura, Ist Thursday. Tokanui, 4th Monday.

Monthly (continued). Duntroon, 2nd Wednesday. Woodlands, 3rd Wednesday. Milton, 2nd Tuesday. Balfour, 3rd Thursday. Thornbury, Ist Friday. Otautau, 2nd Wednesday. Biversdale, 3rd Friday (except March, April, and May). Waikaka, last Friday. Clydevale, last Friday Periodically as Advertised. Lumsden, Mossburn, Orepuki, Waimahaka, Waikouaiti. Hirerton, Ngapara, and Otago Central Sales.

OTAGO. A wet and cold week, with conditions generally unpleasant on the farm, while slock offerings at the usual centres* in Otago were few. Still, the rain will do a vast amount of good, and was wanted, and. once the sun elects to exercise its powers the growth of vegetation should be rapid. BURNSIDE MARKET. The entry of fat cattle at Burnside numbered 167 compared with 245 the previous week. The .quality was good, some excellent peunings of bullocks and heifers being featured. The- demand was good throughout the sale, heavyweight cattle making last sale’s rates, but prime, handy-weight cattle improved £1 per head, best light, quality beef touching 42s per 1001 b. The yarding of fat sheep (1286 compared with 1642 the previous week) was made up of good-quality wethers and ewes. The demand early in the sale was about 2s per head better than at last sale, but eased as the sale progressed until values ruled on a par with those of a week ago. Wether mutton sold to 7|d per lb at its maximum, and generally around 7|d per lb for good qualities. A few fat lambs (140 compared with 671 the previous week) met with fair bidding at values the same as a week ago, lamb making to SJd per lb. No alteration ensued in regard to the small yarding of store cattle, and prices remained on a parity with those of the previous week. There was a fair entry of fat pigs, but values were very “ sticky ” and prices easier. Stores sold fairly well. Baconers made to 61d and porkers to 7.? d per lb. • STOCK NOTES. The position in the stock markets of Otago shows but slight change in respect to values of stores, but there is some appreciation in regard to both fat cattle and sheep, so far as prices are concerned at the Burnside metropolitan market. The rise in values of fat sheep has been of a meteoric nature, and perhaps 'is not warranted. The outlook, however, is not too cheerless, and with the province, if not full of feed, then fairly well off, and holders firm, values may not recede very much. It depends upon factors outside one’s control. Competition at the various stock centres in the North Island is heartening, best lots of cattle and sheep moving off promptly, breeding ewes of merit making around 30s, fair ewe hoggets to 22s 6d, good wether hoggets 20s 6d, culls 12s, good dairy cows close to profit £9 to £ll. At Westfield, in the Auckland province, beef sold to 32s per 1001 b—a fair rise—and generally fat stock and best grades of stores are meeting with improved demand.

A recent shipment of pedigree sheep from the Old Country to Canada calls for remark. It comprised 187 head from Mr T. A. Buttar’s flock of Shropshire sheep at Corston, Coupar Angus, consigned to Mr W. A. Dryden. The shipment also consisted of Suffolks, black-faced, and Border Lcicesters, all from flocks in Scotland. A Home exchange advises that a three-year-old British Friesian heifer from the herd of Mrs M'Kendriek, Dennistoun, Kilmacolm, has been exported to New Sydney, Australia. This heifer, Dennistoun Rosebloom, got by Knebworth Impcrater out of Dennistoun Zcppleon, changed hands at a fair price. The Dennistoun herd is one of the strongholds of the British Friesian interests in the west, where they have taken many prizes at local and other shows. With the opening of some of the overseas ports, trade in the Ayrshire world in Scotland is beginning to move rapidly. Mr John Johnstone, Lockerbie, has just shipped two bulls to the order of the President of the Republic of Costa Rica J* ies ? a F c Harleyholm Example, bred bv Mi’ Walter -Adamson, Lanark, and Daliibble Emigrant, from the herd of Mr John Mackie. Dumfries. A number of Canadian buyers have been in Scotland purchasing cattle, and the first consignment of 68 animals was shipped this month. That cattle have strange appetites was demonstrated by a queer collection made at the.. Auckland city abattoirs recently consisting of nails, staples, pieces of stone’ broken glass, and golf balls, all recovered after killing operations. CANTERBURY AGRICULTUR XL COLLEGE. The directors of the Canterbury Agricultural College invite all Old Boys to meet and inspect the farm and subsequently dine on Wednesday, August 10, 1927.' Old students who intend to be present arc requested to communicate with the secretary, Mr G. IT. Holford, Box 226, Christchurch, particularly those who have no means of transport to Lincoln College. A FORWARD PASTORAL MOVE. A decision of the greatest moment to pastoralists in the Commonwealth of Australia was arrived at by a joint confer-

once of the Australian Woolgrowers’ Council and the National Council of Wool-sell-ing Brokers on the 24th of last month, viz.: Woolgrowers and woolbrokcrs have agreed to raise the sum of £200,000 by voluntary subscription to provide means for research and other scientific activities to improve the pastoral industry in Australia. THE WOOL MARKET. The strengthening of the position of wool, which seems to be perplexing British and American manufacturers, appears to be due to the activity in the textile industries of the Continent, and especially Germany (says an exchange). It is considered that the Continental manufacturers have a greater grip of the costs of production, and are thus working on a safer basis than Yorkshire or the United States. There is, according to Messrs H. Dawson and Co., considerable apprehension in all circles, lest the new season’s values should open too high. This appears to be a roundabout way of indicating that prices are governed by the Australian and New Zealand markets, which is to a large extent correct. The trend of the market is under the control of the buyers, and not the growers, and if values for the raw material open too high it will be the buyers who will set the pace. All the same, it would be in the interests of woolgrowers not to have prices open at too high a level, for the reaction is bound to have distressing effects. The prices realised at the last three London sales, for the various grades of wool, according to the figures of Messrs Dalgcty and Co., Ltd.. ar 0 as under:—

Prices arc practically back io the level in March, when the best sale was held. All crossbreds stand very well in the comparison. If merino wool should open at a high level at the Sydney sales next month, then there should be a reaction in favour of the cheaper crossbred wools. At the moment the stability of the wool market at round about current prices seems assured. N.Z. ROYAL SHOW JUDGES. The following judges have agreed to act at the next Royal Show of the Royal Agricultural Society in Christchurch, in October next: — Cobs and ponies: Mr L. W. Nelson, Whangarei. Trotters and harness horses: Mr W. A. M'Farlane, Hastings. Aberdeen-Angus cattle: Mr W. Robertson, Middlemarch. Lincolns: Mi- A. P. Southey, Masterton. Merinos: Mr John Gatenby, Haumoana. Shropshires: Mr H. J. Andrew, Maheno. Southdowns: Mr W. J. Gimblett, Hastings. Corriedale rams: Mr J. Stringfellow, Grey town. Fat sheep and lambs: Air W. Murray, Warepa, Otago. Pigs: Mr J. A. Russell, Palmerston North. Romney Marsh: Mr J. G. Donald, Featherston. z Red Polls: Mr’N. Inder. Dannevirke. Half bred-sheep: Mr D. M'Lean, Waiau. Herefords: Mr A. Swift, Taoroa. Border Lcicesters: Mr T. Hartnell, Culver den. DOMINION BUTTER ABROAD. Returns from advertising New Zealand dairy produce in the Home markets are reported by the board to bo satisfactory. Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and the Potteries districts were dealt with, approaching 6,000,000 people. Follow-up campaigns were also conducted and full use was made of eight metropolitan papers, also trade papers. The Dairy Board is advised by its London manager, Mr J. B. Wright, that a total circulation of 6,000,000- copies was utilised and space to the value of £3200 was purchased for a campaign of between four and five weeks. Mr Wright also reports: “The position, as it stands to-day, shows New Zealand and Danish butter selling at the. same price, which will have the effect so far as the north is concerned of throwing the trade more on to Danish for the time being. It is worth noting, however, that notwithstanding the equal price of New Zealand and Danish, the regular buyers of New Zealand in the north arc still purchasing. This (although no doubt temporary) shows the gradual growth in popularity of New Zealand butter in the Danish areas. The demand for New Zealand butter generally has continued good, and no doubt the advertising campaign which we have started in the London papers, which cpver a very large area beyond London, must have had some appreciable effect in holding the retailers to New Zealand butter, at a time when competition from other sources is most acute.” NEW ZEALAND BUTTER AT HOME. In a letter to the editor of the Dominion dated Malvern, England, June 14, Mr Spencer E. Warner says:— Sir, —Ever since my return from New Zealand I have advocated the use of New Zealand butter and other products in preference to those of any foreign country, and have had pleasure in seeing such advocacy followed by practical results. Grocers I have influenced have stocked New Zealand butter, when otherwise, they usually sold Continental, and have re-

commended it to their customers, and all promised well until the control system came into force. Now, I am not in the provision or any other trade, and know little of the reasons for and against the establishment of that control—all I can speak of is the effect observable to any outsider.

Last year our grocers stopped their purchases of New Zealand butter, and told us that they were unable to secure supplies, as the importers had taken up a very autocratic attitude and would not put the butter on the market as it arrived, in the ordinary way, but were restricting supplies and keeping the prices above the proper level. We found that we could not get New Zealand butter at any shop, so this must have been a general trouble throughout the trade.

® Later on supplies were obtainable, and now the effects of this mistaken policy become evident. After conciliating the trade, unnecessarily disturbed and offended, the consumer finds fault with the butter and is declining it. We found it “stingy,” and without professing to understand the chemical changes involved, I put the trouble down to the effects of overlong storage, converting the finest butter in the world into a rather unpleasant substance, which my household refused to eat. Our grocers report similar complaints from customers, and say they will have to give New Zealand butter a rest, and I believe this is a general happening throughout the British Isles. In the hope that publicity will lead to improvement, I write this letter. What is the good of sending producers’ money or advertisements here if their product is first hoarded, offending the provision trade, and then released in such a condition that ednsumers, willing to give NewZealand every preference, are unable to swallow it?

TANNING INDUSTRY. At a meeting of the Chemical Society held recently at Victoria College, Welling ton (says the Dominion) an interesting paper was road by Mr N. L. Wright, who illustrated by slides “The Scientific Aspect of Tanning.” The art of tanning, lio said, was the oldest craft known, being mentioned in the third chapter of Genesis. In these times animal grease was used, but later smoke-curing and then alum tannage were discovered. Strangely enough for such an ancient industry, almost nothing was known of its chemistry till about 50 years ago. This was because the scientific study of tanning lay in the realm of biochemistry, which was itself quite a modern branch of science. Generally speaking, tanning might be described as the conversion of putrescible hides into a nonputrescible article of commercial value. For solo leather the hides of larger animals (ox, cow, bullock, horse, buffalo) were used, which came from all parts of the world, their quality being largely affected by climate and the usage of the animal. Animals from colder climates had thicker hides, and those of Continental animals (mainly beasts of burden) were generally excellent. South American animals, which furnished a large proportion of the world's total supplies, did not give such good hides as formerly, as they were raised principally for meat, and were fattened as rapidly as possible, this fattening taking place at the expense of the hide. The hides, coining from all over the world, must bo first treated to prevent bacterial action, so those coming from a distance were wet or drysalted, though those of beasts killed locally for meat might come in untreated.

Microscopical examination showed that protective coverings of animals (including human beings) were fundamentally similar in structure, but differed greatly in texture and thickness, so that the following processes, referring specifically to sole leather, were in a general way representative of those applied in the preparation of any other class of leather. As soon as the hide entered the tanyard it, in every case, went through a soaking process to restore it to its natural pliabiity, as well as remove blood and dirt, and if salted, the salt also. The hides were next suspended in a solution of lime (and other chemicals) until ready for “ depilation ” (the removal of hair etc., by scraping). Usually it was put tlnough an unhairing and fleshing machine, in which the connective tissue and fat were also removed. The next process was rounding.” It was then cut in pieces, which were later given different tannages as required.

The lime used for depilation would cause grave trouble if allowed to remain, and was next removed (‘‘deliming”). This required exact chemical control of the strength of the acids used in the process lhe goods were now ready for the tanning process proper, which consisted in treating them with suitable natural tanning materials, these being chosen according to the product desired. Besides natural substances, synthetic tanning materials (“ synbaus ”) were now largely employed—an example if the chemist s effort to manufacture an arhficial product to improve and replace those furnished by Nature. The tannagP»°P°r consisted in working the hides through a senes of liquors of increasing strength. Exact chemical control was' required m this most important process. J.hey were now piled into units with tan bark between the hides, for two to six weeks When this treatment was completed, they were scoured and scrubbed to remove any solid matter, and then dried in special drying rooms. Concentrated extract of tannin was afterwards forced into the goods (process of “ weighting.”) Finally they were oiled with cod ’and mineral oils, and again dried very carefully, which ensured good colour and grain. The process was completed with rolling, trimming, and sorting. The hide originally contained ~5 per cent, of water, which was to a large extent replaced by tanning material. The slides shown represented sections and surface of hides and leathers, and also the machinery mentioned in the foregoing" processes. The chemical aspect of the industry was stressed throughout the lecture. GRADING AND HANDLING. During the past season the board’s supervising graders have reported most, favourably on the standard of grading at the differ-

ent works in the Dominion, and is is very pleasing to note that the work of these supervising graders is now being fully appreciated by the meat trade in the United Kingdom states the annual report of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board. The suggestion was made some time ago i 1 alteration in the grading weights of lambs, by extending the range of weights S ? i aS i . a " ow heavier lambs to be included. The board does not consider that alterations along these lines would be in the interests of our trade, for they would be against the requirements of our Home trade, and it is essential, if we are to hold our own with the keen competition of other countries, that we must give consideration to, and comply with, the requirements of our customers. Besides supervising the grading of meat at the different works, the board's supervisors watch the loading of all meat shipped at the different ports in the Dominion; an inspector, appointed by the board, also watches the discharge of every vessel in the United Kingdom. As a result of this inspection there has been a steady improvement in the handling of our meat ever since these inspectors were appointed, so that to-day it may be said that, generally speaking our meat is now entering the cold stores in the United Kingdom in practically the same condition as when being loaded into the vessels in the Dominion. During the last few years considerable attention has been directed towards improvements in the manner in which our meat, has been conveyed in the barges on the Thames, and, with the co-operation which our London office has received from the barge-owners, vast improvements have been instituted in this direction. The work of the board in its supervision of loading and unloading and the improvements which it has been instrumental in effecting in the handling of meat have been i n a great measure responsible for reductions in the rate of insurance as compared with five years ago, before the board came into operation. The satisfactory position which has been brought about by this strict handling inspection has certainly a very marked effect on the marketing of our meat; and in instituting these reforms credit must also be given to the freezing works, shipping companies, and railway authorities, who have loyallv cooperated with the board in carrying out this work.

lhe board would again take the opportunity of pointing out to farmers and buyers handling stock the importance of the careful handling of all fat stock whilst in transit to freezing works. It may not be generally know that a great, many lambs graded second class are put into this grade on account, of bruising, and from investigations made by officials of the board it has been found that a good deni of this bruising has been caused through pulling the lambs by the wool, particularly in trucking lambs. The loss that takes place from this cause should be a matter of concern to every fanner. As an illustration of the damage which takes place in this direction it may be noted that in a report received from one of the board’s graders he mentions that in a lot of lambs inspected at a freezing works he counted 101 second class, 43 of which would have gone into the prime grades but for bruising, whilst a number of the second-quality lambs were also bruised, and out of 10 rejections seven were on account of bruis-

March MayJuly sale. sale. sale. G0-G4's— d. d. d. Good to super 251 221 24? Low to medium • 203 20 21 56-5S’s— Good to super 231 23.J 24J .Low to medium 191 191 20 50-56’s— Good to super 21 201 21 Low to medium IS 18 175 48-50’s— Good to super 18J 181 184 Low to medium 15J 15 15J 46-48’s— Good to super 165 161 17 Low to medium 143 14J. 142 44-46’s— Good to super 15J 15J 152 Low to medium 131 131 14 40-44’s— Good to super 14J 14 145 Lbw to medium 131 125 123 36-40’s— Good to super 13J 13 J 131 Low to medium 12.1 111 124