RUAKURA STATE FARM

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1930, Page 11

RUAKURA STATE FARM

GOOD RESULTS ACHIEVED. “A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR.” “A very successful year has been experienced at Ruakura,’ tsaid Mi. H. Munro, manager, in a review of the operations on the Ruakura State faun, near Hamilton, for the season which is just closing. The financial results would again* show an appreciable improvement, added Mr. Munro, the increased production being more than sufficient to offset the drop in values. •• Mr. Munro said the dairy herd had done exceptionally well. There had been ample feed, for stock throughout the season, and the condition of the animals could not be better. Eighteen of the pedigree cows had been put under semiofficial test, and the average yield of these animals had been 5401 b of butterfat per cow. Milking Shorthorns purchased at Ruakura had done particularly well as show prize-winners. Tho successes included Royal champion and reserve champion, and four first prizes and one second prize at the Royal Agricultural Show, Invejcarmll; special prize for tho best type of Shorthorn bull of any age at Wanganui; first and champion at Hawke’s Bay; first and champion, and first and reserve champion at Whangarci; first and junior champion at Dannevhke. During tho season 1672 SouthdownRomncy°cross lambs had been exported, and had averaged- 361 b in weight. The first consignment- of:510 lambs topped the market at 30s net on the farm, and. ■the quality'was so high that a parcel was exhibited at Smithfield for the pur•pdse of advertising Auckland lambs. ■ '‘•There had been- a keen-demand for farm, and all "the surplus stock this .season had found a ready sale. Pastoral operations during the season included the conservation of 300 tons ol hay and 300 tons of ensilage. Other crops included 30 acres of oats, eight acres of different varieties of mangolds, five acres of swedes, five acies of potatoes and one acre of field pumpkins. An important feature of this season’s work has been the school of instiuction, continued Mr. Munro. Forty-nine youths had been enrolled, and there was a considerable waiting-list of applicants who had not yet been accommodated. Num--erous instances had occurred where members of on© family had succeeded their brothers as students at the school. The boys were given a variety of practical work, and took turns in spending periods in tho lecture room and in the field. Messrs) G. K. McPherson and P. Syme were the lecturers.

*Tlie carrying capacity of the farm had been considerably increased in the last five years. The farm - contained 900 acres," of which 800 acres were in pasture, acres, of which 800 acres were in pasture. ’ The paddocks were being subdivided into areas of from eight to ten acres, and a system of rotational grazing was being followed. Arrangements had been made to winter the following stock this year:—3so cattle of all ages, including ICO yearlings; 2000 sheep, including 1600 breeding ewes; 30 horses, and 150 piga.