FARM AND DAIRY

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 16

FARM AND DAIRY

VICTORIAN HERD-TESTING.

EXCELLENT PROGRESS.

Results in the Victorian district herd test for 1930-31 were made available in March by the senior dairy supervisor. The results show that excellent progress is 'being made in increasing production and improving the standard of herds in Victoria. About 90,000 cows were tested, producing on an average 2341 b. of butter-fat a cow; 130 units are included in the association, comprising 3061 herds, in which 74 per cent, of the bulls used, are purebred. Results are more meritorious when it is considered that of the cows tested 36.6 per cent, were heifers. Three years ago the average 2231 b. butter-fat a cow for 63,27'7 cows tested, of which 30 per cent, were heifers, and of (bulls used 64 per cent, were purebred. For 1930-31, of the cows tested 20 per cent, produced more than 3001 b. butter-fat although, three years ago II per cent, exceeded this amount. Last year only 1.3 per cent, of the herds averaged less than 1501 b. butter-fat a cow, although three years ago the percentage was seven; 42 herds averaged more than 4001 b. butter-fat. Only two herds in New Zealand exceeded this amount last year. In the association there are 127 herds, averaging between 3501 b. and 4001 b. (but-ter-fat, and 432 herds between 3001'b. anti 3501 b. The champion cow is Julia, aged 7 years, owned by Mr. G. Webster, of Maffra. This cow appears certain to produce about 8901 b. of 'butterfat in about 273 days. In Gippsland, 38,720 cows, of which 40 .per cent, are heifers, averaged 2601 b. butter-fat. These results are equal to the best obtained in New Zealand.

In the Western district 25,630 cows were tested, of which 31 per cent, are junior cows. Of the bulls used 78 per cent, are purebred. The results for Cobden show that approximately 1000 cows were tested in the association, and averaged 2701 b. of 'butter-fat a cow. There are 19,000 cows in the district, and the association is one of the longest established and foremost in the Western district.

Victoria, which is leading in production in Australia, supports approximately 670;000 co.ws, with an annual average production of 1801 b. butter-fat for each cow. Although this average production for each cow is exceeded in New Zealand, it is claimed that many Victorian cows have much superior individual records to any in New Zealand.

UNITED STATES’ MEAT BAN.

EFFECT ON SOUTH AMERICA.

For some time the South American meat interests have been making strong efforts to secure an outlet for their goods in the markets of the United States. There is also in the United ■States an influential body of public opinion in favour of opening the door to South American meats. By allowing cheaper grown meats in from the south living costs will be lowered, trade with Argentina and other South American countries will be stimulated, and, according to some important sections of people in the United States, the benefits which would follow the imports of meats would be great.

At the Pan-American Commercial Congress, which met recently at Washington; these views were freely expressed, and a resolution was passed urging the Department of Agriculture to raise the existing embargo and admit meats from South American countries. The suggestion raised a storm of protest, however, from the agricultural press of the United States. Upholding the opposition of stockmen throughout the country, the agricultural organs stated that imports of meats as suggested would ruin the home stockraising industry, which is already, protected as it is, in a bad way, but they declare that not even official Washington can lift the embargo if it wishes for the Hawley Smart tariff law stands in the way, and political parties are not likely materially to alter this law in the near future.

Section 306 of the Hawley Smart tariff provides that live stock or meats may not be imported to the United States from any country where foot-and-mouth disease exists. In the eyes of the authorities South American countries are not free from this disease, and the only way to secure admittance of meats from the south is by the complete eradication of the disease to the satisfaction of the authorities or by the repeal of section 306 of the Hawley Smart tariff.

FIRST CROSS IN PIGS.

QUESTION OF STAMINA.

First crosses between two good pedigree breeds of pigs often turn out very satisfactorily, and apart from other considerations, such pigs usually possess the virtue of being “good doers.” That is simply because the mere fact that two distinct breeds have been crossed ensures that the resultant progeny will possess the vigour which an entire change of blood is calculated to bring. There is no chance even of remote

(new), and Sundries. wrew ..in mu ii !■■»■■■ ■ iiißwwwßTiwTiTwriTKTrTiTWTTrMrrnßMriirwini'ii relationship ’between thai parents, as there sometimes may 'be in the case of pedigree animals, though of . course that is a thing which the careful breeder will always avoid if he can. First-cross pigs possess stamina, and if the choice of parents has been judiciously made there is no reason, why they should not be the very best kind of pigs that it is possible .to obtain for the particular purpose in view. Subsequent crosses—that is, crosses made between parents which are crossbreeds themselves —are sometimes very satisfactory.,. It is, however, safest ■to ayoid them, keeping either to the first cross or mating back the first cross sow with a purebred boar. FRESH PASTURES PAY. IRISH EXPERIENCES. At a recent conference in Ireland a Government expert stated that while there was no better food for milking cows than go*od grass, he considered that very heavy milkers might with advantage get a little’ feeding in the end of their lactation, but to extend the' practice generally to all the cows, was, in view of creamery prices at that time, doubtful economy. He pointed out the mistake of allowing cows to range over the entire pasture from the beginning of the grass season. Cows should be confined to a couple of fields at a time, and exchaiiged every few weeks. The change to a ‘fresh pasture stimulates the flow of milk and the yield is thereby increased. In autumn when the grass is scarce and cows are on pasture alone, a little expense involved in the way of supplementing the declining pasture would be amply rewarded by longer-lived cows, .better condition when next calving and consequently a higher yield of milk.