ON THE LAND

Southland Times, Issue 20615, 13 October 1928, Page 7

ON THE LAND

REVIEW OF THE WEEK FEED STILL SCARCE IN SOUTHLAND UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER There has been little improvement in the weather during the past week and growth on the pastures is still tardy and feed remains scarce although an improvement has been shown. Lambing still continues in parts of Southland although the greater part is over in some districts. Several farmers report that mortality has been a little higher than usual, but considering the weather conditions were surprisingly low. Boys' and Girls' Clubs. Entries for the first year’s competition under the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club movement have now been tabulated and number 167, representing 23 schools. The plots are now well under way and planting of the seed which has now all been sent out will be undertaken shortly. The various schools represented in the competition and the number of pupils taking part are as follows: —Redan 3, Ryal Bush 3, Thornbury 8, Mimihau 5, Tuturau 3, Edendale 16. Wyndham South 4, Winton District High School 7, Wyndham 19, Mokoreta 6, East Gore 7, Knapdale 11, Gore 18, Croydon Siding 2, Croydon Bush 3, Pukerau 5, Mataura 10, Charlton 3, Otahuti 9, Rimu 5, Waikaka 8, Kennington 8, Lora Gorge 4. Dairying. A slight easing tendency in the London cheese market has been apparent during the past week a drop of from one to two shillings a hundredweight being recorded. This is considered to be due to the fact that deliveries ex-store have shown a decided falling off. No f.o.b. sales have been reported in Southland during the past week. All the cheese factories in Southland are in full swing again and despite the unfavourable weather conditions reports show that the intake in mast cases is being well maintained in comparison with previous years, a few of the larger factories having received increased supplies. Ths bad weather of the month has placed dairymen in an unenviable position as growth has been severely checked at a time when subsidiary fodder is very scarce. The conditions prevailing of late should bring home to farmers the necessity of setting .aside sufficient reserves of feed to ensure their stock plenty of feed over a period such as has been experienced. Those farmers who are in the happy position of having supplies of hay will have realized by now the advantage of setting aside this indispensable ration. The early season’s make of cheese is now finding its way to the cool stores and the Port Fremantle, now at Bluff, is due to load all cheese available up to next week as the first consignment from Southland. “Bobby” Veal Export. The work of collecting “bobby” veal in Southland for export is proceeding smoothly. Th? peak of the season’s supply was reached during the past week and from now on smaller quantities will be offering. Up to October 16, 9,841 calves have been killed at Mataura works, and 5,365 at Makarewa, the total being roughly 2,500 ahead of last year’s figures for the same period. During the past week rejections have materially decreased indicating that the farmers supplying calves are doing everything possible to ensure the quality being sound. Average weights for the period to date show a decided improvement. It is expected that the first shipment of veal will go forward by the Turakina landing in London about Christmas time. It is also expected that the same vessel will take a big shipment of skins. On the whole, the tagging system is considered to have proved quite successful. A few minor improvements have suggested themselves and when opportunity offers next year alterations along these lines will be given effect to. In only a few instances have farmers raised any objection to rejection of calves, but the inspection at the works carried out by the meat inspectors is considered, in the main, to be very exact. As far as is known at present, killing will be continued at Makarewa until the end of this month and the mat aura works will continue to operate until well into November, Western district calves being collected as usual and railed to the works. During the coming week payment will be made to the dairy factories for all calves received up to the end of September and this payment will put into circulation among dairymen not less than £3720. It is interesting to note that a sum of approximately £360 will be paid to carting contractors for their work for the same period.