FARM AND STATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16213, 25 August 1923, Page 10

FARM AND STATION.

WORK A MONO THE FLOCK,

By 311 ti 11 v farmers August; is regarded as a. slack month, but it need not necessarily be so. Careful attention to the ewe frock,-of course, is necessary, and, although in the hilly country of Poverty Bay it is hardly practicable to ride round' the ewes twice daily. yet they should be seen at leant once a day, except in eery stormy weather, when many people consider it is better to leave them nlone. The reason for this, of course, is that a ewe will, during stormy weather, find a warm spot in which to lie, and is then better undisturbed.

The bad weather conditions which have prevailed lately have caused the flocks"to become very dirty, and a good deal of dagging will bo necessary throughout the whole, of Poverty Bay.

A good deal of useful work can be accomplished during the semi-wet clays for which this time of the year is noted. Docking yards can be put in order and the fences generally seen to. Many men on the larger stations go to the trouble of drafting the whole of their hogget, flock during August, and putting the weakest into a change of fled. There is no doubt that such attention is .instilled by the results obtained.

A point to which too much attention cannot be paid is the care taken with the dead wool and skins brought during this month by the shepherds. If the dead wool is carefully teased out and dried on the woodshed floor, a reasonable return may be expected; but if it is carelessly clumped down in matted bundles, it. will scarcely repay the cost of cartage.

Similarly, great care should bo exercised with regard to the skins for the difference between good and bad prices for skins is merely the difference in the attention given to them. Doubtless these arc all small points, but the practice on far too many of the larger stations is to deal with wool and skins veTy carelessly, thus causing a large and quite unnecessary less. DISTRICT NOTES. Reports from the Whatatutu district indicate that the rejeent cold snap has cause-i a fairly 'heavy death-rate tjnong the lambs. The bad weather came just when lambing had commenced, and naturally enough the young lambs felt the cold weather very much. The heavy winds that have prevailed throughout the district have cut the feed down somewhat, but most of the larger stations have reduced their cattle during the past year or two, so there is still ample feed available. Arowhana and some of the adjacent Waipaoa country have had fairly heavy falls of snow, and most of the higher country has suffered in this respect. The condition of the stock in the district is good. Some Of the ewies are, naturally enough, a bit low in condition, and these do not appear to be quite so many twins this year as last, which later on may prove to be a very good thing. Little trouble has been experienced this year with "bearings." The majority of the bigger stations* will be commencing docking about the third week in September.

The cold snap has .also affected the Coast stations, and a good many lambs have been lost. As many as 107 lambs wcro lost in one night in the Waimato district during the recent weather.

Hikurangi, of course, is snow-capped, as arc also many of tho higher ranges around. A good deal of trouble has been experienced all along the Coast with regard' to "bearings," and remedial measures have been attempted, especially on the Smaller stations. This consists of* replacing the bearing and tieing the wool across in such a manner as to present tho bearing protruding. This method has met with much success on the Coast this year, and las undoubtedly saved many valuable ewes.

A good many of the coastal stations near "to town have used the black-faced rams this year, anil tho results appear to be very satisfactory. Even '.some of the larger stations have taken on the black face, and there ought to bo a good showing of fats later on. There are not a great number of twins among the black-faces, but, as one shecpfanner pointed out, that will probably be au excellent thing later on, as the ewes should be able to rear a single lamb and do it well. One or.two of the Coast stations have tried a. few Shropshire rams duf* ing the past two seasons, and are well satisfied with tho results. The Shropshire, of course, is more or less a. dual purpose sheep, and its introduction to Poverty Bay may prove of great value. Lambing is well advanced in the Tiairoto district, but the feed has suffered a good deal from the cold, bleak winds that have prevailed of late.

A consignment of three Suffolk rams from a Canterbury stud wtas landed a fevr days ago for a local breeder. The rams were selected by tho late Mr. C. A- Fenwick for the Gisborne breeder, and on arrival were closely examined by a number of stockmen, who expressed great interest in their various points. Long stock drives are not as common in New Zealand as in that country of vaster distances, Australia, but for general hardship one undertaken by a party of drovers recently on the road to Napier would bo hard to beat. Over 40 days were spent on the road, the mobs being taken very slowly in order to avoid the necessity for holding them at Hawke 's Bay. Rain and terribly cold Avtinds made tho camps miserable, and day after day the men were wet through and chilled to the 1-onc. The mob was finally delivered at Napier in fairly good condition.

HIGH PRODUCTION.

STATE JERSEY HERD.

Careful culling by the State Herdmaster, Mr. J. A. Robertson, and good feeding and attention, have raised the Jersey herd at. Hawkesbury College (N.S.W.) to a highly creditable standard in both production and quality. For the past year ending Juno 30, an average yield of 71091 b. milk and 3671 b. of butter fat, equal to 4421 b. butter, was produced from 51 cows in 305 days. In 273 days 35 cows arid heifers yielded an average of 00981 b. milk, and 5151b] butter fat:, equal to 3781 b. butter. Five of the cows averaged 62731 b. milk, and 4441 b. butter fat, equal to 5361 b. butter.

This is a great increase over any previous year's figures obtained tit tho college.

MAIZE IMPROVEMENT

GRAFTON (N.S.W.).—Tim results of the Clarence river maize growing contest, wherein yields up to .102 bushels to tho aero were produced, came as a surprise to fanners generally on the North Coast, in view of the fact that tho contest was held in one of the worst seasons for many years. It clearly indicates the wonderful productivity of tho soil on the Clarence. Mr. W. T. Boyd Avas the winner this year. The yields are improving each year, showbig that fanners are select-

ing their seed on systematic lines, with the object of maximum production. The recent contest was supervised, hv Mr. A. 11. Clayton, instructor of tho "Department of Agriculture,

FAULTS IN WOOI

BRADFORD, .Tune 20.—When going round the warehouses inspecting wool to be offered at any series of sales, either in. London or at any of the northern ports, which have come into prominence as selling centres since the war, one frequently finds examples of ihe raw material having become depreciated in value through some fault avoidable or otherwise. The presence o'' bun,, or olher vegetable matter, exec? *ive heavy condition, tenderness ol' staple, and many other things which eight be mentioned, are found from time to time to have reduced the market, value of (dips. A sample of West Australian wool has just come to hand which illustrates this point. Its fault is -char is known as canary stained, and r.s it is Impossible to remove this stain by tho scouring process. (he value is depreciated pence per lb. West Australian growers will be quite familiar with this fault in the wools grown in that State, and those in other parts of Australia and New Zealand will know by experience how their wools are affected in price by faults of a quite different nature. The ] ..,nt we wish to emphasise here is that the elimination of defects as much as possible is very desirable from the wool user's point of view. Everything that can be done in that direction is always greatly appreciated, for tae manipulation of the wool in the manufacturing processes, if thereby facilitated and better results are attained.

HERD TESTING. PROGRESS IN WAIKATO. Judging by the manner in which applications for membership are flowing into the office, the prospects are exceedingly bright for the success of the N.Z. Co-operative Herd Testing Association formed a short time ago as a result of the conference held between the N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Co. and the Woikato Farmers' Union Herd Testing Association, which body conducted operations last season in this territory. Farmers are | apparently recognising to the full the paramount importance of testing-, which in these days of efficiency and ths elimination of the unfit, may be regarded as one of the most important phases of dairying, second only perhaps to correct feeding. The whole district is being thoroughly organised, by Messrs. A. 10. M'issen and G. 11. Oldham, and already six groups have been formed, but it is confidently expected, that by. the time the season opens properly there will be at least 20 groups, representing 500 herds, in operation. The groups already formed and in which testing has now been commenced are Tirau, Matangi, Te Rapa, Pukctaha, Orini and a joint gTouj) consisting of the Tauhoi and Morrinsvillo districts. Although there are still more returns to come in, IS herds are at the present time attached to tho Tirau group, which means that about 1400 cows at least will bo tested in this nrca during the season. In Orini the membership so far is 24, representing 1000 cows, while amongst the otiher districts Puketaha has .19 herds (900 cows), Te Rap'a 22 herds (1100 cows), Matangi 16 herds (900 cows), Tauhoi and Morrinsville 25 herds (1150 cows). OTHER PROSPECTIVE GROUPS. It is confidently expected that tho response from Cambridge will be sufficient to justify the formation of three groups in this favored area, white from the encouragement being given the movement by To Awamutu farmers two groups will probably be set up in the Waipa district. Putaruru, Whatawbata, To Kuiti, Ake Ake, and Taupui are practically certain to - form. groups, while another -will doubtless be formed for the benefit of the joint district of Eureka and Tauwha re. However, the association's operations are not likely to be confined to these districts, and. it only remains for the fanners in other parts to lend their support to this most worthy movement which marks a big advancement in tho district of New Zealand's primary industry.

A testing officer will bo appointed to each group, and the returns after they have been sent into the office will be sent back to the fanners for their information with the greatest promptitude. The secretary (Mr. H. 0. Huse) states that all expenses will be covered by tho 5s fee for each cow, a price which, quite apart from tho value of the test as a guide to correct breeding, will be more than repaid to fanners through the advantage they will have in knowing which are the profitable cows and which are the ones to eliminate to make room for more profitable boasts.

HERD TESTING.

ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESSFUL

DAIRYING

Much interest in herd testing has been aroused among Wanganui dairymen, as the result of the visit of Mr. N. Foidton, Government Dairy Produce Grader, who lectured in various centres in and about Wanganui (states "Shatter" in tho Chronicle). The lectures wero arranged by tho Wanganui Provincial Executive of tho New Zealand Fanners' Union, and that body is to be commended upon its activities to promote a scheme which is destined to bo of great assistance to the dairymen of New Zealand. One outstanding point stressed by Mr. Fulton was this: "No matter how good a judge of stock a fanner may be, ho cannot pick a good milk cow from an indifferent animal, unless he knows her test record."

No farmer would care to dispute that argument. If cattle are wanted lor beef, the farmer's task, in making a selection, is simplified to a great oxtent, but it is quite a different proposition to select a dairy cow on appearances. Her testing record is needed. Her test could almost bo termed a sure indication of her qualities, and without it a tanner is al*tolutely at a loss.

A farmer can quite easily imagine what a difference herd testing would mean to the present day haphazard, "go as you please," style of selling dairy c(«vs v , Tho sorry story had been told often enough of how "Bill" bought, a pedigree Jersey dam, mother of "so and so" and "such and such" at-the local sale, and when ho got her homo found that she was blind in two teats, and Iter test was —; but,, never mind, the story is quite old now/ and the dairy farmers of to-day are looking ahead. Herd testing is coming. That is "on the cards," and the sooner every dturyman sits up and takes a keen interest, the sooner "will ho improve his own position, and be able to bid in the open sale yard for daiiy cattle without fear of "coining a crash." Got into it, you dairymen, and form your own testing associa-

tioos, and make them do what they are meant, to do.

Herd testing has been tried in many centres locally, and, as Mr. Pulton said, many farmers are probably disappointed. The trouble is that those who take up the scheme expect restiii--to show up almost, immediately, and, further, they probably went into the thing expecting it to achieve something more than its true object. Herd tostijpg is not intended to help the farmer to check his factory returns, or help him in any other equally irreveInat matter. It is intended to obtain for him correct- records of:— (a) The average; production of but-tor-fat of each cow, and

(b) The number of days each cowin his herd is in milk. It is for those two things only, mid farmers would do well to remember this when running n critical mind over the past, season's work.

The most common of many questions which face the dairy farmer when he considers the. matter of herd testing is, "When I fiitd culls what am 1 going to do with them?" Mr. Fulton was asked this question, among others, at his Okoia. meeting. He replied very emphatically that it was absolutely for the farmer to get rid of his culls and get rid of them quickly.

"Better to shoot them for manure than let them eat. grass," said Mr. Fulton. i"Tkey do not deliver the goods, and are a loss to the farmer aF the time he feeds them."

A case which very strongly illustrated this point came before my l otice recently. A dairy fanner made

application to a money-lending concern for a loan to buy more cows. One of the directors on the board (who, by the way, was a. farmer himself) pointedly asked what return the applicant hsd received from the cows lie then carried. The figures when supplied were largely responsible for tho board's decision to decline the application, for in the words of the farmer director, "That man would do more, good with forty cows then with the jifty culls he's got now.''

DEMAND FOR DRAUGHTS.

There seems to be no doubt about the fact that the draught horse has come ia to his own.

For a. time, especially in the southern districts, tho tractor proved a serious rival, but. experience has shown that its value is limited, and that the draught horse can still hold its own on the farm. In Poverty Bay there has never been any great demand for tractors, tho class of country being really unsuitable for them, and during the past fewyears the prices given for good draughts have been steadily on the Upgrade.

At a recent sale on behalf of Mr. Clarke, a well-known South Otago breeder, the prices realised r;in from £44 for two-year-old fillies to £75 for useful types of draught mares. Of course, these prices are somewhat higher than those obtaining locally, but they-are for very well-bred mares, and if sufficient interest is taken by local breeders in improving the quality of their stock, there is no reason why they should not obtain prices equal to those. There is undoubtedly an excellent market in Poverty Bay for the right, type- of heavy draught, and tho demand at present seems to be in excess of the supply. SHEEP DOG NOTES. Judging from the reports of the North Island championship meeting, held recently at Danncvirke, there were no very brilliant performances in the heading classes, but some very lino work was put up in the huntaway classes. Experience of dog trials in Poverty Bay shows that similar results usually obtain here, and the opinion of men well versed in these matters is that the Poverty Bay hunta.wn.ys would hold their, own anywhere in New Zealand. Our lack of good heading dogs, on tho other hand, is deplorable, and tho winning heading dogs at local .trials often put up performances which are far from good. However, now that dog trials have come to stay, and the support given to them is increasing year by year, wo may expect to sec >.n improvement with regard to our heading dogs. The fact that the North Island championship meeting is to be held in Gisborne in 1924 is bound to prove an incentive to local enthusiasts to purchase fresh blood, and Poverty Bay phould be able to hold its own against outside competitors. A matter of interest to local dog men is tho question which has been brought up by tho North Island Association regarding the commencement of a stud registration book for dogs. Now that competitors at all trials are compelled to register their dogs, 1 it ■would be quite a simple matter to arrange a stud book with a record of tho performances of the registered dogs, and doubtless this will be done in tho near future. In an isolated district such as this, a book of the typo proposed would be of inestimable benefit to local owners who desired to bettor their team by the introduction of some outside blood, for they would be able to pee at a glance the authenticated records, and would not then be a prey to unscrupulous dealers who trade under false colors. Therd has been some discussion of late in southern papers regarding the qualifications of some of the men who were acting as judges, and great dissatisfaction has been expressed with the decisions given at some of tho trials there. In this respect wo are 1 articularly fortunate in Poverty Bay as there has never been any question va to the fitness of the judges at the various local trials, and there seems to bo no difficulty in getting the right; class of men to undertake the work. The value of tho silent wtorklng dog in Poverty Bay is a question which has always given "rise to much controversial argument. Most men who are .working with dogs, and especially men on the larger stations, dislike the silent worker as being too erratic and temperamental for solid work, and this certainly seems- to be tho case. For trial work, and for pulling a few sheep tho silent worker is superb, but when it comes to the rough and tumble of everyday work, the general typo of more noisy dog seems better able, constitutionally, to stand up to the trial. Another fault regarding the silent worker which has been remarked on by many local dog men, is his tendency to work sheep when he gets out of sight. Many a dog has had to be destroyed on this account, Mid probably '.this is partly the reason for the general dislike manifested in Poverty Bay towards the silent heading dog.