ON THE LAND

Southland Times, Issue 21850, 29 October 1932, Page 5

ON THE LAND

WEEKLY REVIEW PASTURE SOWING COMMENCED GROWTH BACKWARD Routine work on the farm continues to proceed apace, and almost everywhere in the province a marked advancement in all branches is noticeable. The prolonged dry spell has had its advantages and disadvantages, but the latter can be said to have been outweighed by the former ivith the result that prospects for the coming season are bright. The sowing of pastures has occupied the attention of graziers and others and in many instances this work has been completed. This sowing has been much earlier this year than for some seasons past, and farmers are now getting the ground ready for the sowing of swedes and turnips. Although the weather has been generally good it is reported that growth has been more or less backward. This probably has been due to the frequent frosts and cold snaps experienced lately. In several districts, mainly owing to the lack of grass dairy herds are in a backward condition. Lambing is now very well advanced, and exceptionally good results have been obtained practically in every corner of the province. It is also reported that the lambs are progressing very well. Dairy Produce. There is average activity in the dairying industry. So far there has been no great keenness shown in f.o.b. buying. One or two sales were reported at 6jd f.0.b., September and October, and a few sales have since been made at 6 l-8d for the same period, but it is difficult to make sales at that price to-day. In most cases factory directors are not inclined to come below the latter figure, while in some cases they are holding out for 6|d. Apparently the spot market at Home, is keeping firm, and the price for white cheese at any rate should net factories over 6] d, but there appears to be some uncertainty in the minds of buyers regarding the forward market which is causing them to buy conservatively. Most factories report increased intakes of milk. This is probably partly due to the favourable season, but mainly to the fact that a number of factories which previously had not been engaged in dairying have now acquired herds. New Zealand is Australia’s best customer for pulped fruits and vegetables. The value of pulps exported last year was £38,974, compared with £23,854 in 1930-31, and £31,744 in 1929-30. During 1930-31, New Zealand took 468,6791 b, South Africa 178,6781 b, Canada 91,5801 b, United Kingdom 85,2961 b, and foreign countries only 26041 b. The Orepuki farmers have purchased the dairy factory at Orepuki and it will be run on the co-operative system. Excluding wool and hides, the produce exported overseas from Victoria from July 1 to October 6 was valued at £3,597,481, compared with £2,833,663 for the same period of 1931. The butter exported was valued at £1,272,071, condensed milk £100,684, dried milk £80,054, eggs £58,093, lambs £351,805, rabbits and hares £115,049, wheat £488,113, flour £452,046, dried fruit £437,546 and canned fruit £77,752. Professor Wadham, professor of agriculture at the Melbourne University, recently inspected the prize-winning farm, owned by Mr Hanslow, in the Tongala (Vic.) district. He saw a striking example of the carrying capacity of a well-managed irrigation block. Pastures are mostly rye grass and subterranean clover. The 80 acres carried 744 ewes, with'lambs, from May 2 until August 31, and also 130 milking cows for 16 days. Despite the heavy stocking, pastures were still plentiful.