LIVE STOCK AND THE FARM

Southland Times, Issue 21073, 3 May 1930, Page 14

LIVE STOCK AND THE FARM

CURRENT TOPICS. THE CALF EXPORT SCHEME. Three years' experience of the- scheme of pooling for export the calves which dairy farmers would otherwise destroy for their skins has again proved the value of cooperative effort. This industry was a new one when the South Island Dairy Association first took up the matter in Southland and the returns secured indicate that the move was a very wise one. There is a definite market for the baby veal at Home as is proved by the fact that although a greater quantity was exported this year, the price obtained was higher than previously. This is particularly satisfactory in a year of reduced prices for all other primary products. Prior to the adoption of organized marketing for the veal and skins, farmers were compelled to accept a very low rate for their skins—scarcely sufficient to compensate, for the trouble of disposing of the carcass, but when the opportunity arose, the hide merchants were prepared to pay a very much higher rate for large numbers of skins which the cooperative pool made available. There was a very considerable decline in value of the hides during the current season, but it is quite likely that when the other markets recover there will be a similar upward tendency in hides.

A factor that perhaps has not been considered to any extent is the effect of the scheme on unemployment. The handling, killing and export involved a considerable amount of labour and provided work in the early spring for a number of men who would otherwise have been without work. The industry put into circulation in Southland a total of £16,559. Of this very considerable sum, no less than £3,927 was expended in freezing charges and a very large percentage of this amount would be payable for labour. In addition, cartage contractors benefited to the extent of £754 for transporting the calves to the freezing works. Freight charges to the London market amounted to £1450 and the farmers received £9,060 in return for their calves.

SUCCESSFUL FARMING. The particulars published in this issue concerning heavy carry capacity of a Mataura Isla'nd farm are extremely interesting as at the present time a great deal of attention is directed towards intensive farming on comparatively small areas. Some remarkable returns have been reported from this type of farming in the North Island where potential farmers with only small capital are compelled to take up areas which only a few years ago would have been regarded as too small to be worthy of a farmer’s attention. One remarkable example was recently reported from Patea in South Taranaki, where a man maintained a herd of 24 dairy cows throughout the year on an area of 20 acres. This was made possible by intensive topdressing and the adoption of a rotational grazing system which, it is gratifying to learn, is now being adopted by a fair number of farmers in Southland. As this farmer had built up a high producing herd, his returns were extremely satisfactory and his experience was a complete answer to the old-time sneering comment upon farmers with only small holdings. It can be confidently predicted that in the near future the man with a small holding will be a force to be reckoned with and although mass production in manufacture is perhaps the cheapest, farming on a small scale will probably prove to be the most efficient. Undoubtedly, smaller holdings would have the effect of increasing the Dominion’s production which is the desirable achievement.

This discussion raises the question of maintaining top-dressing in a period of reduced prices such as the present. This year, a number of farmers have declared that in view of the slump in sheep and wool values they will not carry out any top-dressing during the coming winter. The wisdom of this policy is very debatable as a cessation of top-dressing would undoubtedly have the effect of reducing production. In previous years, farmers have acknowledged by a continuance of the policy that top-dressing is a payable proposition. This, of course, was in a period of good prices and the returns from increased production more, than accounted for the cost of the fertilizers used. Even with prices at a lower level, it is extremely doubtful whether judicious top-dressing would not still show a handsome return. At any rate, whatever the state of the market, the wisest policy would appear to be one that makes for maintaining production.

As practical experience is the most valuable guide to successful farming, the Agricultural Editor would welcome details of outstanding carrying capacity of land as a result of the adoption of certain methods, experiences in top-dressing, treatment of stock diseases and any other phases of farming which will be of interest and of value to other readers.

USING BASIC SLAG. PREPARING THE SOIL. Basic slag is a widely-used phosphate manure and gives excellent results for topdressing pastures on clay soils and others that are inclined to be heavy. It is commonly applied in the late autumn and the land should be preparer! to take the manure. It is an advantage to have the grass stocked down close, following this by tearing out the coarse patches and opening up the surface mat with the harrows. This gives the manure access to the soil and also makes room for the development, of the finer herbage encouraged by the slag. The distribution should be as even as possible. A little attention to the working parts of the manure drill and care in its regulation should secure this, and the manure goes on better if a calm day is chosen for the work. Distribution is simpler when fairly large quantities of manure have to be applied per acre. This is the case when a low grade slag is used; but other considerations such as transport may outweigh any advantage on this ground. Basic slag tends to set into a cement-like film when broadcast on moist herbage, so it is advisable to apply the manure when the grass is dry, so that most of the dressing finds its way to the soil.

CLUBROOT.. SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT. GREAT BOON TO FARMERS. The efforts of the Department of Agriculture to combat the effect of clubroot on crops in Southland appears at last to be bearing definite results, a pedigree swede seed having responded to tests. It has proved not only very resistant to clubroot, but grows into a healthy crop although attacked by this deadly disease, states the Mataura Ensign. Last week a visit was made by Mr R. B. Tennant, Field Supervisor for Otago and Southland, and Mr F. Waite, M.P., to the Gore Experimental Area, where, in company with the manager, Mr J. Sleeman, they inspected the crops sown in ground which was described as “rotten with clubroot.” Four swede seeds, comprising three standard commercial seeds sown in Southland, and a pedigree swede seed, the Herning, specially imported from Denmark, were sown in parallel rows. The resul twas conclusive. The only crop standing and in healthy condition was the Ilerning. This is the second season in which these experiments have been carried out, the result being the same last season. The Herning swede has proved very resistant to clubroot. This seed has been experimented with for several generations by Danish agriculturists. Even though attacked by the disease, the plant grew healthy. A feature of the experiment was that the Ilernings were two seasons old. Th three standard commerical seeds actually germinated better, but at the time of thinning clubroot, was noticed on the plants, which later died off. In view of the statement by Mr Tennant that 25 per cent, of the crop in Southland and Otago, which is sown over 90,000 acres, is lost each season to the ravages of clubroot, the benefit to farmers of the experiment is inestimable. This experiment has been carried out by the farm manager, Mr J. Sleeman, during the past 10 years, but only during the last two seasons, and since the importation of the Herning seed, has there been a beneficial result. At Winton the same experiment has been carried out with the same result. Mr Tennant stated that 1 cwt of the Herning Swede seed would de bistributed to 200 farmers in Southland to be sown next spring. Each farmer would receive half a pound of seed, and would plant it along with his other standard seeds. The same experiment would also be carried out in Central Otago. A comprehensive survey would thus be carried out, the crops being tested in all classes of land, and under varying local conditions. At Tapanui, said Mr Tennant, a test had been conducted with 25 different varieties of swede crops. The result had shown that the Herning seed yielded the second largest crop, 33 tons to the acre, that it was the most palatable, and kept well. Mr Sleeman intends to make a weight comparison of the Herning yield in the clubroot soil in the Experimental Farm Area, with a similar Herning crop grown in fair soil. This result should be hand about June. At the conclusion of the inspection Mr Waite remarked that the experiment was one of the most successful carried out in New Zealand. It showed that the Department of Agriculture was fulfilling a big service to the community. Up to the present the Dominion had to import seed to combat clubroot, but there was now every hope that New Zealand would in the future establish pedigree seeds just as valuable as pedigree stud sires. SUCCESSFUL FARMING. HEAVY CARRYING CAPACITY. ANOTHER MATAURA ISLAND FARM. Expressing interest in a recent article published in these columns concerning the carrying capacity of two Mataura Island farms, a farmer in the same district forwards -particulars of another instance of very successful farming on a small area. These relate to a farm of 84 acres which at present is carrying 54 milking cows (averaging two gallons of milk per day now), 130 ewes, 72 lambs and three horses. Six acres were cut for hay and there are eight stacks of sheaves containing approximately 60 tons resulting from the harvest. Half of the farm was top-dressed last year with 3 cwt per acre or basic slag and the other half with 3 cwt per acre of North African phosphate. Provision has been made for winter feed by the sowing of three acres of chou mollier. FORAGE FOR STOCK. LUCERNE AND SANFOIN. We may fairly regard sainfoin and lucerne as the mast economical stock food grown on the farm (writes an English stock authority), although, like many others, they do not suit all soils. Both arc heavy croppers, remaining down fot some years without expense to the farmer. Both are suitable for green consumption, for hay and for silage, and are alike agreeable to horses, cattle and sheep. Sheep may be folded on sainfoin; it may be mown for horses and cattle, or cows may be depastured upon it, or, if preferred, it may be mown and carried to the stalls. In all cases, a rich succulent food of this type should at first be fed with care. When it Is mown for green consumption it should lie in the field to wilt; or again, if it is to be eaten off, whether by cattle or sheep, there should be a limitation in the quantity supplied until they are accustomed to it. Cows are easily “blown” by green fodder when they eat too much, as they so frequently do when it is first introduced to them in spring. As sainfoin is a nitrogenous fodder, containing nearly 12 per cent, of nutritive food, of which one-fourth consists , of albuminoids, it is doubly advantageous simultaneously assisting the stock consuming it and the soil on which it is grown. Flockmasters find it the best plan to fold it in its first year, mowing checking its, vitality. For hay it is wise to cut before it I has lost part of its succulent nature and be- j fore coming into flower. There is no better j silage made than the produce of 'sainfoin. i Lucerne Is slightly richer when green, and , as hay contains some 45 per cent of digestible food, so that it is superior to medium meadow hay. On poor soils, owing chiefly to want of dung, lucerne may fail from the absence of bacteria which are a great factor in its cultivation. ANALYSIS OF SOILS. POOR AND RICH LAND. Sometimes farmers who go to the expense and trouble of having their soils analysed learn, of course, some of the constituents of their soil, but may not know whether the proportions given denote a fertile soil or a poor one. The two main elements in which the farmer is instructed and on which he depends for the feeding value of his pastures or the success of his crops are nitrogen and phosphoric acid, it being generally assumed that most other elements needed i are present in sufficient quantities. It is est”nated by scientists that if a soil contains below 0.05 per cent, of phosphoric ' acid and nitrogen it may be classed as poor; from 0.05 to 0.10 it is medium; from 0.15 to 0.25 it is good, whilst above 0.25 it is rich. 1

DAIRY PRODUCE TRADE. BUTTER EXPORTS UP. BIG DECLINE IN CHEESE. In view of the recent heavy decline in dairy produce prices in London, the survey of exports and stocks of butter and cheese issued by the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board for the eight months of the season to March 31 is of outstanding interest, and gives much food for thought on the future of the industry. Taking the export figures first, it is seen that although the Dominion shipments for March, 9374 tons, were 110 tons less than i for the corresponding month of last year, I the exports for the eight months ended i March 31, 68,450 tons, show an increase of 3803 tons compared with the corresponding period of the 1928-29 season. On the other hand, exports of cheese show a decrease, not only for March, but also for the eight months, compared with last season. The decrease was 85 tons for March (9452 tons as against 9537 tons), and 1391 tons for the eight months’ period. Of the butter shipped in March, 1930, to the United Kingdom, the position at time of shipment witfs that 91 per cent, was consigned and 9 per cent, sold f.o.b. Of the cheese shipped in March, 1930, to the United Kingdom, the position at time of shipment was that 75 per cent, was consigned and 25 per cent, sold f.o.b. (73 per cent, was white and 27 per cent, coloured). For the season ended March 31, 1930, 68 per cent, was white and 32 per cent, coloured.

Details of the exports and destinations of dairy product for the eight months ended March 31 are given in the following comparative tables: —

Australian and Argentine Exports. Shipments of butter from Australia last month were 4562 tons, compared with 5686 tons on March, 1929—a decrease of 1124 tons. No cheese was shipped last month, as against 473 tons on March, 1929. Australia’s exports of butter for the eight months to March 31 were 35,420 tons, as against 33,418 tons for the corresponding period of last season—an increase of 2002 tons. Cheese exports for the eight months were 1037 tons, compared with 3159 tons — a decrease of 2122 tons.

Argentina’s shipments of butter last month were 1710 tons, a decrease of 272 tons compared with March, 1929. For the eight months ended March 31 the exports totalled 11,659 tons, compared with 13,930 tons for the same period of last season—a decrease of 2271 tons.

An analysis of the imports of dairy produce into Britain during March and the first quarter of this year affords no apparent clue to the cause of the heavy decline in values, the imports of butter last month being nearly 2000 tons less than in March, 1929, and 3000 tons less than in March, 1928. Cheese imports last month I were about 2000 tons more than in March, i 1929, but 2600 tons less than in March, 1928. Re-exports of butter from Britain last month were only 563 tons, as against 1149 tons in March, 1929. The slump in prices last month is shown in the following comparative table:—

4th week 126/130 78/81 162/166 88/90 British Imports for Quarter. The imports of dairy produce into the United Kingdom for the first three months I of each of the last three years compare as follow:—

It will be seen that imports of butter arrived from New Zealand during the first quarter of this year were nearly 5700 tons less than last year and over 4400 tons less than in 1928, due to much larger shipments to Halifax. Imports of butter from Denmark, Sweden, , and other countries (Latvia, Esthonia, etc.) were considerably in excess of those for the first quarters of 1929 and 1928, due doubtless to the mildness of the late winter months. The figures show that New Zealand is the chief supplier of cheese to Britain, whose receipts from the Dominion for the quarter (11,413 tons) were more total from all outside sources in the first quarter of 1929. It has been suggested that the abnormally large stocks of butter held in the United States —13,617 tons at April 1, or more than five times those of 12 months ago—have been an unsettling influence on the London butter market. Whether this is so or not, the largely increased production of butter in Northern Europe is of more than passing interest to the Dominion industry.

Position of Stocks. The following are the stocks of butter and cheese held in Canada at April 1: —

The following are the stocks of butter and cheese held in the United States at April 1

Total in sight 43,179 40,046 29,146 The phenomenal increase in the March gradings of 52 per cent, of butter and 13 per cent, of cheese helps to account for the large stocks in New Zealand at April.

Butter. Aug. IAug. 1Mar. 31, Mar. 31, 1928-29. 1920-30. Tons. Tons. London .. 44,567 49,063 West Coast U.K. .. 4,467 3,052 Vancouver .. 3,619 3,781 Halifax .. 14.722 7,590 Honolulu . 332 344 Other countries .. 545 498 Panama 108 168 New York . . — 151 68,450 64,647 Cheese. 1929-30. 192S-29. London Tons. Tons. .. 49,887 49,322 West Coast U.K. .. 7,149 8,669 Australia 13 6 Vancouver 89 106 Other countries . 63 22 Hew York — 467 — • — 57,201 58,592

March, 1930. Butter. Cheese. March, 1929. Butter. Cheese. First week 138/142 83/84 170/172 88/90 2nd week 139/142 83/86 164/168 88/90 3rd week 133/138 81/84 163/166 88/90

Butter. 1930 1929. 1928. Tons. Tons. Tons. Russia 10 31 271 Finland .. .. 941 1,15.8 782 Sweden .. .. 1,530 679 977 Denmark 9,043 7,824 7,799 Netherlands .. 227 430 259 France .. .. ■j 119 35 Argentine 2,258 2,470 2,446 Irish Free State 279 129 283 Australia . . . . 5,976 4,362 6,350 New Zealand 7,072 12,753 11.487 Other countries 1,004 344 531 Total (tons) 28,343 30,299 31,220 Cheese. Tons. Tons. Tons. Netherlands 807 831 1,263 Italy 593 454 793 United States 18 — 24 Australia .. .. — 360 433 New Zealand 11,413 9,276 12,575 Canada .. .. 62 37 564 Other countries 432 431 277 Total (tons) 13,325 11,389 15,929

Butter .. .. Cheese .. .. 1930 Tons. 5,473 2,833 1929. Tons. 1,778 5,931 1928. Tons. 3,050 5,863 Taking into account Canadian cheese both in Canada and Britain, the position shows:— 1930 ■ 1929. 1928. Tons. Tons. Tons. In Canada .. 2,833 5,931 5,863 In United Kingdom .. .. 4,615 3,020 688 7,448 K951 6,551

1930 1929. 1928. Ton$. Tons. Tons. Butter' .. .. 13.617 2,471 2,610 .. .. 18,736 20,100 14,193 The position of stocks at April was as follows:— Butter. 1930. 1929. Tons. Tons. Estimated stocks of all butters in London, ineluding private and provincial stores .. 18,000 15,500 Stocks in New Zealand, including loaded into steamers not sailed finally at April 1 .. 14,500 5,000 New Zealand stocks afloat 12,868 12,775 27,368 17,775 Cheese. Estimated stocks of cheese at London, Liverpool, and Bristol: — 1930. 1929. 1928. Tons. Tons. Tons. N.Z. and Australian 7,625 9,707 7,271 Canadian 4,615 3,020 688 12,240 12,727 7,959 Stocks in New Zealand, including steamers not sailed finally on April 1 .. .. 15,714 12,000 10,000 Stocks afloat from New Zealand .. 15,225 15,319 11,187 30,939 27,319 21,187