STOCK FOR RETURNED MEN

Southland Times, Issue 25763, 29 August 1945, Page 4

STOCK FOR RETURNED MEN

Successful Gisborne Scheme

Details of a scheme for providing stock for returned men taking up farming on their own account are given in the latest issue of the R.S.A. Review. The scheme, which is sponsored by the Gisborne R.S.A., was launched at a meeting held at the beginning of the last dairying season. A committee was elected to seek donations of calves and weaners from high-producing lines in order that when servicemen of the puresent war began to establish themselves on the land they would have access to a pool of good stock at moderate prices. It was never considered that the stock could be made available to the new settlers free of charge, but the scheme provides for a price level which will just cover the essential costs of holding the stock until it is claimed. “Ihe response to the proposal, though it was made rather late in the season, was highly encouraging, and the committee now has under its control 170 animals, some of which have been transferred to grazing land found gratis by members of the association, while others have been retained on the properties of the donors for rearing,” the article in The Review states. “Stud bulls and heifers are among the young stock, and to date four registered bulls have been handed over to returned men who have begun dairying. Most of the calves and heifers have come from tested herds sired by qualified bulls. Some of the dams have lifetime merit records. . “The calves which were taken over at the weaner stage were in exceptionally good order and reflected great credit on the donors. All heifer calves have been inoculated by the Department of Agriculture against contagious abortion.

“For the coming season it is intended to set a target of 200 calves and weaners, and in view of the success of the first year’s operations and the favourable opinions which many farmers have expressed on the work, this target should not be specially difficulty of achievement.”