NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19483, 6 May 1933, Page 16

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION

NOTES AND COMMENTS (Contributed).

Meetings of Farmers.

During the past two weeks meetings of farmers have held at St. Andrews, Hunter, Pleasant Talley, Willowbridge, Pleasant Point, Orari, Albury, and Waihao Downs. Addresses have been given by Mr. W. R. Harris on the “Economic Use of Fertilisers,” illustrated by lantern slides, and by the provincial secretary, (Mil D. Crosbie), on Farmers’ Union matters. Mr. H. Ward has also spoken at some of these meeting on “Bacteriology in the Soil and Putrefaction;” and Mr. W. C. Stafford on “Certification of Seeds” and ""Ryegrass Strains” The number of farmers attending these meetings is an indication that farmers are anxious to take advantage of anything which will lead to improved farming methods. A further series of similar meetings will be held later on in the winter months. *

Fat Lamb Prices.

Some weeks ago the South Canterbury Executive took up the matter of the variation of lamb prices between New Zealand and London, and the secretary has been in touch w r ith the Minister of Agriculture, the Meat Producers’ Board, and other interested bodies, with a view to having these descrepancies adjusted. A reply has been received from the Meat Board which states that the difference in values on Smithfield as between the various weight grades of prime Lamb, is large-

ly governed by supply and demand, and it must be remembered that the local prices offered for those different grades are not based on the different existing at the time on Smithfield, but are based on values which, on the judgment of operators, it is estimated will be obtained later on.

With reference to the retention of kidney and kidney fat in lambs for export the increased return which farmers have received for their lambs through the additional weight of the carcase has been of substantial benefit to them, and the Board can see no reason to vary the action which it took in this matter.

A reply from the Minister of Agriculture was along similar lines.

Marketing of Wool.

Some time ago the Crown Tenants’ Association requested the co-operation of the Farmers’ Union in asking the Government to inaugurate a system of wool grading to enable wool to be sold on grade instead of auctioned. The matter is still under consideration, but for the information of farmers, the policy of the Union in regard to wool marketing may be summed up as follows: (1) That the formation of a Wool Marketing Board is essential (2) That the main functions of the Board should be:—(a) reulation of wool sales and amounts offered, (b) reduction of overhead coots from shed to manufac-

turer, (c) insistence on uniformity of classing by licensed wool classers, and compulsory binning of .rmall and irregular lots, (3) That every encouragement be given to improve the quality of the wool produced.

Winter Feed.

The North Canterbury Executive have received replies to their request for particulars regarding the quant-ties of winter feed available throughout the

Canterbury district, and it appears’ that the turnip crop generally has been very poor, and in some districts a total failure, and grain feed will be esssential to carry stock over the winter. Mr. Mulholland said that the replies clearly demonstrated that the price of oats and other grain feed in Canterbury were out of proportion to what the situation warranted. As for the use of seconds of wheat, wheat at 2/6 a bushel was an extreme cheap form of supplementary feed, really cheaper than oats. Stocks of bran were also accumulating at present, and bran also should prove useful as a supplementary feed.

The replies seemed to show that feed grains were likely to be very valuable in Canterbury and North Otago, and should be conserved. The price of all not stand the cost of cartage. The farmer for feed were so low that they would these various things that can be used should use whatever he had on his own farm. Provincial Executive. Next month will bring the annual meeting of the Executive with some changes in the personnel, and it is sincerely to be hoped that the difficult times through which the outgoing executive have -steered the local Union will not be intensified during the coming year.