NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 12

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Importance of the Bull. After 12 years of careful study of the problem of raising the production efficiency of dairy cattle through breeding, it is believed (says the annual report of the Bureau of Dairy Industry, U.S.A.) that the only sure way to establish a high and profitable level of production io through the use of “ proved ” bulls. By using in those herds which supply the breeding stock for the great majority of dairy farmers only those sires which are definitely known to have the hereditary-

ability to transmit high production to their daughters it is possible to build up strains of cattle which will be practically pure for high production, and when this point is reached all animals in these herds will be. capable of high production by virtue of their inheritance, and bulls coming from these herds will transmit to their offspring those hereditary factors which make for high production.

Sheep Export Embargo. At the annual meeting of the Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association in Melbourne strong protests were voiced against the embargo on the export of merino sheep from the Commonwealth of Australia, although recently the Federal Graziers’ Council decided not to ask for its removal. Mr T. Gatenby said exports of merino ' - sheep to other parts of the Empire should not be forbidden, and added that the delegates from South Africa who attended the recent Imperial Wool Conference would gladly have bought some sheep.

After discussion it was resolved—" That this association requests the Federal Graziers’ Council to reconsider its decision, and ask the Scullin Ministry to remove the embargo.” Several speakers declared that the embargo was causing serious losses to breeders, but did not prevent breeders 1-* other countries irom obtaining merino sheep. Already Russia was ordering merino rams from America. The president (Mr H. N. Beggs) proposed—“ That the embargo on all exports to other parts of- the Empire be removed.” This was agreed to. The New Milk Fever Cure. ' There has been no more important discovery in the sphere of animal diseases and research in recent times than that which has led to the effective treatment and * cure of milk fever by calcium chloride. It has been the means of obviating a great deal of worry and anxiety amongst dairy herd owners,’and the interesting point is that the treatment is being recognised and practised all over the world. A correspondent, writing from South Africa, mentions a curious experience which he had recently. One of his dairy cows took milk fever 10 days before calving. On rare occasions he had the experience of a cow going down with the ailment a day or two betore calving, but not so long as 10 days. The former usual treatment had no effect, and he got into touch with a veterinary surgeon, whom he instructed to bring the new treatment, which he did, although it was some eight hours after being called that he was able to attend. Fifteen minutes after the new treatment the cow was on her feet and looking quite all right, and this after she had been lying all day. The correspondent’s.comment is, “ What a boon this would have been in the old dairying days ! ” ' "

Farm Work for September.

lhe sowing of cereals this month will engage attention if it is intended to pern)it them to ripen. Later on will answer should one sow for grazing purposes. Once the turnip area is available no time should be lost in ploughing up same and sowing a crop of some kind. Frosts may have lifted some of the autumn-sown wheat plantlets, and, if so, it is advisable to roll and so encourage tillering rather than leave them to struggle along as best they can. The harrowing of pastures is a matter of urgency at this season, while liming and topdressing will help all grasses and clovers. Linseed may be sown this month in clean ground. Once the ploughed ground has dried out, it should be grubbed across the furrows the full depth of the ploughing. The preparation of a clean piece of ground for lucerne is worth a thought. Early potatoes may be planted, following on with mangels. All stock require extra attention from now on, particularly breeding stock. Ewes with lambs at foot may well get the run of the best paddocks and as many roots carted out to them as they will' eat. It is essential for maximum results that the lamb-flesh should not be lost by- inadequate provision of suitable feed' for the ewe. Hoggets cannot make any ggins on hard turnips owing to changing teeth, and swedes should be broken up in some manner. Old horses and young ones should have extra feeding of the nature of crushed oats and good hay. This will provide the necessary nutrition and lessen the risk of scouring on young grass. All cows coming in should be given due attention and fed in accordance with their milking capacity. See that calves get their milk at blood heat, and be sure it is clean. Pigs to-day are moneymakers, and it pays to keep them warm and free from draughts. See that the mothers of twin lambs get the run of the best paddocks, and so get them away fat with the single lambs. If two lambs are too much for a ewe, mother one of them on to a ewe which has lost its lamb. It pays to give a lot of time to the breeding ■stock, provided the owner knows when to lend a hand and when to leave matters to Nature. AGRICOLA.