NEWS AND VIEWS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 257, 8 October 1931, Page 2

NEWS AND VIEWS

Bulls for Russia Over 200 Shorthorn bulls, mostly of the Scotch type, were shipped to llussia by British breeders early in June. Buyers from Russia, also purchased 200 Hereford bulls from breeders in England. The bulls are to be used for crossing on the native cattle.

Minerals in Pastures "Although in some cases it. may be necessary and more practicable to feed minerals in the form of licks to the animals, it must not be forgotten that such methods exercise bur little influence on the carrying capacity of the land and cannot, be expected to correct or improve the palatability, digestibility or nutritive value of grazing. All these factors are influenced by treatment of the soil. By this, method the quantity factor is increased and at the same time the feeding value of the grass."—Rhodesian Agricultural Journal.

World's Record Claimed Mr. 11. Pedlingham, of Colwall, near Malvern, England; claims the ownership of the worlds' most, prolific sow. In a period of 35 months this animal lias brought into the world MS strapping youngsters. A detailed statement of her farrowings show: January 5, 1928, lit; June 29, 1928, 22; January 4, 192!), 21; July 17, 1929, 21; January 1. 1930, 2-1; July 13, 1930, 21; December 29, 1930, 20; total, IKS. The figures have been verified by a local veterinary surgeon. A recent claim by Canada of KM pigs in 35 months is thus easily beaten. The sow was due to farrow again in July.

Purchase of Pigs A suggestion that, the Unemployment Hoard should assist, farmers in the purchase of pigs and in (lie erection of suitable piggeries was conveyed to the board recently. In reply, the Unemployment Commissioner, Mr. M. Fraser, stated if was regretted that no assistance could be given as far as (lie purchase of stock was concerned. However, the board agreed that farmers might take advantage of the board's No. 4B Scheme for the purpose of building new piggeries. Under the scheme the board paid a subsidy of '•''■'> 1-3 per cent, on the labour cost of development work on farms when carried out by registered unemployed men on a contract basis. True Perennial Rye Those who are not getting satisfactory results from rotational grazing and liberal manuring should examine their pastures and see if they contain perennial ryegrass. If the non-per-sistent type of ryegrass is present then the land should be re-seeded with certified seed, making sure that there is a Government certificate with (lie seed. Farmers in Taranaki have had great success with re-seeding after discing the field both ways, harrowing, sowing the seed and finally rolling. Where a roller is not available, crowding sheep on the area has a good effect in crushing in the seed. Some men in the Auckland Province have had great results from the use of small fields grazed in rotation and completely manuring these, but it is only where true perennial ryegrass is dominant in the seed.

Three-year-old's Record A striking performance under Government semi-official test has just been completed by a three-year-old Jersey heifer, Cytherea's Twylish Cream, who has finished with the splendid total of 840.411 b fat, which is almost sure to be the highest return in the three-year-old Jersey division for the year. For a heifer, only three years old, to produce nearly four times as much as the New Zeajlan/J, average is a striking illustration of what can be accomplished by the right class of stock and proper breeding methods. Although her record scarcely bears comparison with the yields of last season's two phenomenal Jersey three-year-olds, Ivondale Silver Rainbow, C.O.K. £)solb, and Cousin Grace, 9531 b fat, if must take rank amongst, the most, notable dairying accomplishments of New Zealand, for few and far between are the three-year-old heifers that can produce 8001 b fat in the one season. Cytherea's l Twlish Cream is the property of Mr. 10. J. Clough, lnglewood, Taranaki, and is a close descendant of those two famous Jersey sires, Eminent's Fontaine and Lord Twylish, two cornerstones of the breed in New Zealand.

A Remarkable Cow Mr. E. G. Barton's famous British Friesian cow, Chaddesley Fledge Rose 2nd, has won championships over all dairy breeds in the milking trials -J, the last four English national shows. On these lour occasions only the cash prizes won by this remarkable cow amount to no less than £755, me largest sum won at any Royal being at Harrogate in i92i), namely, £l97 —and the highest at Warwick this year, namely, £IBO. in order to stimulate milk and butter-tat production the British Friesian Cattle Society otters a milking trial championship prize el' £IOO at each Royal show, so thai in addition to those prizes it will be seen that Chaddesley Hedge Rose 2nd lias won another £355 at the tour shows concerned. Valued a! Is a. gallon, the miik yielded by Mr. Burton's great cow during the last live years has been sold tor nearly £SOO, as her annual average production over that period approximates 2,000 gallons. As Hie yield of the average dairy cow in this country is about r>oii gallons per annum it is apparent that, the work of British agricultural associations is producing far-reaching and instructive results.