ON THE LAND

Southland Times, Issue 20002, 16 October 1926, Page 8

ON THE LAND

A SATISFACTORY WEEK COLD SNAP EXPERIENCED GROWTH RETARDED Growth received a severe set back in the early part of the week as the result of the chilling north-east winds that prevailed. In all other respects, however, a satisfactory week has been experienced, farm work generally being pursued to the accompaniment of favourable conditions. Fanners have consequently been busily employed finalising work in preparation for the sowing of grass seed, and later on, of turnips. The present season has been a very late one as far as the sowing of oats is concerned and merchants are still sending seed oats out fairly freely. The potato crop is also late and very’ few main crop potatoes have been sown. With a continuation of the present good weather, however, planting will now proceed steadily. Although the weather of late has been most favourable to the successful working of the land there are complaints that the growth of grass is still backward. This has certainly been considerably retarded by the cold winds experienced but since the return to more congenial conditions the development of pastures has been anything but unsatisfactory. Dairying is now in full swing while lambing time has c<sme and is practically over. With warm weather to promote growth stock should now do well. It is still rather early to form any estimate of what areas of oats or ryegrass are likely to be put in. With oats many farmers have either reduced the areas sown or have cut the crop out completely, probably owing to the disappointing prices which have been ruling during the past season. In regard to grass seed the prices during the latter part of the season have also been disappointing to farmers and it is probable that with ewes at a low price compared with that ruling last season farmers will be inclined to go more for stock on pastures than for saving for seed. A noticeable point during the last year or so is that the sales of grass-seed have been increasingly restricted as top-dressing operations have advanced in favour and this fact will doubtless necessitate farmers in grass seed districts curtailing their areas to avoid an over supply. ON THE EXPERIMENTAL AREAS. Work on the Gore Experimental Area is well advanced and next week the mangel manorial experiments will be sown. The seed in this case is being sown much earlier than was the case last year and basing expectations on the results then obtained, a very successful crop is looked for this season. Two blocks of oats and vetches for hay purposes were sown at the Gore Area during September. Both blocks are showing up well and the growth will soon cover the ground. Several oat variety trials were sown on the Winton Demonstration Farm last month and all varieties are now making good .growth. At the present time the pasture blocks on the Winton Farm are carrying a very heavy head of stocking. On approximately 39 acres there are 340 sheep and 10 heifers and still there is plenty of feed. EXPORT OF STUD SHEEP. In recent times the Australian demand for New Zealand bred Border Leicester and Romney rams has intensified considerably on what it has been for some years past and this has been the case especially in regard to the former species. During the last 12 months 4arge numbers of flock rams have been shipped by various breeders and it is held in authoritative quarters that provided the New Zealand breeder can supply sheep suited to Australian requirements an export trade of considerable dimensions can be developed. In the past Southland breeders have met with gratifying success in meeting this demand and as a general rule sheep exported from this province have afforded every satisfaction to purchasers on the other side. Prominent among Southland’s well known breeders and exporters has been Mr R. J. Anderson of Kauana who has been successfully exporting stud Border Leicesters, and to a lesser extent, Romneys, for several years. Shortly Mr Anderson will be making a further shipment of Border Leicesters and Romneys and it has been decided that before these sheep are shipped an opportunity of inspecting them be afforded local breeders and others interested. A field day has been arranged at Mr Anderson’s Kauana property for Wednesday next when breeders will have every opportunity of inspecting individual sheep and when demonstrations will also be given.