YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 19

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

Value Of Field Day SUCCESSFUL ESSAY COMPETITION In order to gauge the value of the field day held at Makarewa recently for members of young farmers’ clubs the District Committee of the movement decided to offer a prize for an essay competition on the day’s activities. The results were extremely gratifying, the essays submitted indicating that a lively interest in the programme for the day had been taken and that the young farmers had benefited considerably from the demonstrations and talks. The competition resulted as follows: W. Clark (Tussock Creek) 1, Irvine A. Gerard (South Hillend) 2. A separate competition was held for an essay .on a demonstration with dogs given by Mr James Lilico and the results were. James F. Winter (Wyndham) 1, W. B. Andrews (Pine Bush) and T. A. McKenzie (Otahuti) equal 2.

The standard of the essays was very high and the judges had difficulty in making a decision. Mr Clark s winning essay is printed below:— WINNING ESSAY Under ideal weather conditions, the field day arranged for the Western District Young Farmers Clubs was successfully carried through, on the property of the Southland Frozen Meat Company. About one hundred young Farmers and friends, representmg all the clubs in the western area, attended, and were rewarded by receiving a wealth of knowledge from the various lectures and demonstrations. Proceedings opened somewhat informally with an exhibition of a patent flame thrower, which the demonstrator claimed would successfully clear gorse and other noxious weeds. He also showed how it could be used to clear growth from the banks of ditches. An inspection of a tractor with cultivator and scuffler attachments interested the young farmers. Mr Nichol demonstrated an electric fence and showed how stock, educated to this idea, would leave it strictly alone. He also pointed out the great saving of time and material in the erection of such a fence, as one wire was all that was required to keep stock back. Mr W. R. Harris, in welcoming the young farmers, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a ■ big attendance, ana stated that he hoped that they would give an attentive hearing to the lecturers. He then went briefly over .the programme mapped out for the day, and at the conclusion, members adjourned to the sheep pens for an amateur judging competition. Pens of Romneys and Southdowns of both sexes had been yarded, and the competitors’ task was , to select the best sheep in each lot, and award points according to a schedule which had been prepared. While the judging was in progress those who were not competing had a chance to become acquainted with the members of other clubs, and so the spirit of friendliness grew as the day moved along. Lunch made a welcome break when the judging had been completed. The Southland Frozen Meat Company had kindly placed their dining room at the disposal of the executive. At the conelusion of the* meal Mr-Clark, of the Woodlands Club, returned thanks on behalf of those present DISEASES IN STOCK

Mr A. Brash, the new veterinary surgeon for Invercargill and the surrounding districts, was the first lecturer

after lunch, and he dealt briefly with the common complaints and diseases in farm animals. In speaking of distemper in dogs, he said that a vaccine had been discovered which would give life immunity, and said that it would pay owners of valuable dogs to have them inoculated. Dealing with diseases in sheep, the speaker went on to say that a big number of them were , brought on by faulty management, and , lack of understanding by the person in charge of the flock. He went on to i give some valued tips in the treatment of footrot and other common com- ’ plaints in sheep and cattle, finishing up i his remarks by condemning most of the so-called patent stock medicines on the market. At the conclusion of his address Mr Brash answered a number of questions, and received a vote of ' thanks from the young farmers. Exhibitions by trial sheep dogs were the next items on the programme, and Mr Nelson, first with a young dog and then with a team of three dogs, showed what could be accomplished by patience and training. He accompanied the exhibition with explanatory remarks and at its conclusion was heartily applauded. A talk on the care of lambing ewes by Mr Lilico was keenly listened to by all. In his opening remarks, the speaker said that a good dog was an absolute essential, and that a coveredin pen in the paddock, where the ewes were lambing, saved many a tramp for the shepherd, and many lambs’ lives. Patience and cleanliness were necessary if a successful lambing was desired, and Mr Lilico said that there were not nearly enough disinfectants used on the average farm. He continued his remarks by giving points in the mothering of twin lambs, .putting lambs on ewes who have lost their lambs, and in the general care of the flock. Speaking briefly of dogs Mr Lilico mentioned that he was the the importation of sheep dogs to Southland, and he raised a cheer when he announced that he would give a prize of a pup for the best essay on his remarks.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Lilico on the ntotion of Mr Dolamore. ' FREEZING INDUSTRY Mr Harris then introduced Mr A. Derbie who gave a brief talk on the freezing industry. He sketched the life of the Southland Frozen Meat Company from the time 12 years ago, when it began to purchase lambs on its own account. That clients of the Southland Frozen Meat Company had every opportunity to ship their own lambs was shown by Mr Derbie, who explained the market arrangements, and the facilities available to the consignor. He went on to say that the Southland brand , was the very best, and only prime mutton and lamb were shipped under it. He also mentioned how the company was helping the producer and appealed for the co-opera-tion of all concerned, concluding his remarks with a word of appreciation for the work of the Young Farmers’ Club movement.

A demonstration on a Clydesdale horse by Mr John Ewan was an interesting break from the lectures. In a few words, the demonstrator gave his audience the life history of the Clydesdale and stated that there had been many champions bred in Southland. ‘He further remarked that Southland with its mild climate could be made the stud farm of New Zealand. Points in judging a horse were explained by Mr Ewan, who also mentioned that it was necessary to see a horse in action to judge it properly, and that a Clydesdale should lift its feet cleanly. . Mr George Gray, of ploughing match fame, gave a demonstration on the setting up of a plough and explained the different terms used by ploughmen. He also explained the system of judging ploughing, and stated that it had not altered from the times of early ploughing matches. After answering questions, Mr Gray was applauded for his talk. A return was then made to the sheep pens where* Mr W. Roxbrough demonstrated on a Romney ram. He went over the sheep pointing out its good points and explaining the meaning of carriage and character. For comparison, he then gave a list of faults that should be guarded against when purchasing sires for the flock.

SOUTHDOWN BREED Mr W. Falconer then gave a demonstration on the Southdown breed with the aid of a Southdown ram. In opening his remarks, he said that there was room for all breeds in New Zealand, and that the ideal carcass for the frozen meat trade was a cross between a Romney ewe and a Southdown ram. He pointed out the qualities desired in a Southdown ram. Before Concluding his remarks Mr Falconer said that he had been asked to give a few hints on picking lambs for competition. The chief thing was, he said, to see that the line was kept even, because a big lamb in a pen of good ones would put the pen out. He also stressed the point of feeding them well. At this stage, Mr Harris presented the trophies . for the amateur judging competition and announced the winners: Mr Beggs for the Romney section and Mr Stewart for the Southdowns. The recipients briefly replied. The concluding feature on the programme was an exhibition of Dorset Horn sheep, and a talk on them by Mr A. C. Gray, who stated that under favourable conditions the lambs would put on lib in weight daily. He explained that the rams when crossed with Romney ewes left a good type of dual purpose sheep and that the ewe lambs were free from horns. Mr Gray was accorded a vote of thanks, and the hope was expressed that he would meet every success with this new breed. Mr J. C. Gardner, on behalf of the executive, thanked all those who had made the day possible, the Frozen Meat Company for the use of its property and also Mr Harris and Mr A. Stuart for the time they had spent in preparation. So concluded one of the best field days held in Southland, and those privileged to attend had to take home with them the ideas of some of Southland’s most prominent and successful farmers.