ON THE LAND

Southland Times, Issue 22475, 10 November 1934, Page 5

ON THE LAND

NEWS OF THE FARM PUREBRED CATTLE SALE NEXT WEEK A DRY SPELL The spell of exceptionally fin© and warm weather during the past week has had a beneficial effect on farm lands all over the province, and farmers everywhere have taken advantage of the conditions to push ahead with seasonal work. Most activity has been centred in the preparation for the sowing of turnips and other winter feed, but attention has also been given to other work about the farm. Fortunately there is plenty of feed about the country, but some rain on top of the warmth would freshen pastures, a need that is becoming more apparent with each fine day. The forecast is for rain shortly, however, and any fears of an early season drought may be allayed.

Of special interest to dairy farmers is the annual purebred cattle sales on Wednesday and Friday of next week. Dairymen who wish to improve the producing qualities of their herds will be given a splendid opportunity of selecting sires with plenty of butterfat backing. Good entries for both sales have been received, and more than the usual interest is being shown in the stock offering. The catalogues are now available. On Wednesday, when the sale of mixed breeds will be conducted at the Showgrounds, no fewer than 180 head will be offered at auction. As usual the entries of Friesians predominate, but there are also good entries of the other breeds. Well-known breeders from as far north as Oamaru are represented, so that the quality of the lots to be offered is assured. The annual sale of the Southland Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Club will be held on the Friday and it is reported that good entries for this sale also have been received. The good demand for ewes continues. It was noticeable that ewes comprised the bulk of the yarding at the last weekly sale at Lomeville. From now on till Christmas the offerings of fat lambs will increase and it will be interesting to note what effect, if any, the lamb market will have on the fat sheep market.

Orders for lime and manures continue to keep merchants busy. The value of top-dressing is being .realized more and more every day, and consequently each season sees a bigger demand than previously. Treatment for Sheep.

The copper sulphate treatment is not only effective in clearing sheep of stomach and tapeworms, but has the additional advantages of gradually clearing the land of these parasites when monthly doses are given. On land known to be infested the flock—lambs and sheep—should be dosed before symptoms appear at all, and the dose repeated once a month for as long as they are kept on such ground. In other cases treatment should be commenced as soon as symptoms make their appearance, and before the subjects sink in condition. In especially bad cases three doses may be given in a third week, and then once a month as above. The doses of the one per cent, solution (an ounce of sulphate of copper to five pints of water) are: Ewes and adult sheep, 3oz; lambs, 1-ljoz, according to size. Lambs usually do not become seriously affected until they begin to feed for themselves. The smaller dose may therefore be given when about one month old if symptoms appear. As a preventive a haft-ounce is suitable. Carbon tetrachloride and tetrachlorethylene are also effective against stomach and intestinal worms, as well as flukes. They may be given in capsules, or in a small dose of medicinal paraffin (|oz), but, apart from their action on flukes, have no special advantages over the one per cent, solution of copper sulphate. Milk Marketing.' A sub-committee of the British Milk Marketing Board has been set up in London to consider amendments to the milk scheme as at present in operation. A committee has also 'been formed to co-ordinate the work of all the marketing boards on matters of policy where common interests are involved. It is acknowledged that the Milk Board has not been unaware of the defects of the scheme, nor heedless of representations to amend it. They have, however, been anxious to observe the results of the scheme over a reasonable period, and to make any alterations en bloc instead of piecemeal. As a year has elapsed since the scheme came fully into operation, it is now felt to be opportune to review it in the light of experience. The new sub-committee has held a meeting, and it is hoped that agreement as to the alterations to be made in the scheme will be reached in about three or four months. This will allow ample time for parliamentary sanction before the next contract period. The committee will discuss, among other things, the question of special transport charges, and the alteration of regions. It is also probable that all producers of milk, including the four-cow men, ■wall be brought into the scheme. Dairy Produce Prices. The following is a comparison of the dairy produce prices ruling at present and those of a week earlier, the mean of the price range being given:— Nov. L Nov. 8. Butter.—

Danish 124/N.Z. (finest salted) 77/N.Z. (finest unsalted) ——— 79/Australian (finest salted) 71/6 76/(finest unsalted) 75/Cheese.— N.Z. (white) 53/6 54/6 N.Z. (coloured) 53/6 53/6 Australian (white) — ■ - .. 1— Australian (coloured) ■ 1 - ■ •— Canadian (white) 52/6 Canadian (coloured) 12/6