AGRICULTURAL ITEMS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19953, 10 November 1934, Page 15

AGRICULTURAL ITEMS

IMPORTATIONS OF LIVE STOCK It is an encouraging sign that the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee of the House of Representatives has seen its way to report favourably upon a petition for the removal of the embargo on the importation of live stock from Great Britain by direct shipment to New Zealand. Group Herd-Testing It is remarkably fine compliment to group herd-testing in New Zealand, the finest thing associated with the dairying industry of the country, that the Dairy Commission makes no suggestion in regard to its improvement. It only suggests further encouragement, and means of strengthening the system. Meat Marketing The British Government has postponed until February 28, 1935, the operation of the order providing that imported frozen meat and lamb carcases shall be marked with the name of the country of origin, on condition that an indication of the source is made at the time of sale or exposure for sale. World’s Exports of Chilled Beef The world’s exports of chilled beef in 1933, which exceeded 400,000 tons, come almost entirely from Argentina, which furnished about 85 per cent, of the whole in that year, the bulk of the balance being supplied by Uruguay (7 per cent.) and Brazil (6 per cent.). British Empire countries, mainly Southern Rhodesia, exported 7000 tons of chilled beef in 1933, or nearly 2 per cent, of the world’s exports. Handling the Boar Many a man has purchased a boar that suited him in every respect, and then, by improper care, practically destroyed his worth as a breeder. Too close confinement is to be shunned at all times, but it is not as bad as to permit the boar to roam with other pigs over the farm. A comfortable pen should be provided for the animal with a fair-sized paddock adjoining an he should always be in a good thrifty condition. If he is over-fat he will be clumsy and not a sure breeder. Pig Clubs The excellent pig-club idea, based on the Danish model, which the North Taranaki executive of the Farmers’ Union has established, is making steady progress'. There are now seven clubs, and they are all functioning satisfastorily. The clubs are being greatly assisted by the Pig Marketing Association, especially in financing the purchase of boars and sows, the payment for these being made after the sale to members. Where in-pig sows are obtained members are charged 1* guineas for grade pigs and 2 guineas for pedigree stock. At this rate the costs are fairly well covered. Grass for Pigs The value of grass for pigs is rapidly gaining in appreciation among Continetal pig-keepers, but, it is emphasised, the grass must be of good quality. The grass must never be longer than four inches. It must be kept in the leaf stage. This is only one reason why a small mob of sheep are so valuable. A point to remember is that pigs won’t eat soiled grass, but they relish short fresh grass. This is where rotational grazing comes in. An English authority recently remarked: “A daily supply of green stuff is the surest method of coutering disease and ensuring rapid growth.” Ensliage The present season promises to be a good one for ensilage and hay-mak-ing. It is wise to save as much grass as possible as one cannot tell what conditions will have to be faced as the season advances. The food value of silage is determined by the material from which it has been made, and that the best silage—milk-producing silage —is made from grass when it is about 6in. high, before the seedstalks have formed. Another advantage of making silage early is that a good aftermath is thereby secured and a pasture that, given some moisture in summer and proper control, will provide feed throughout the season. More Cows Than Humans “There are 1,960,000 cows in New Zealand, which is the only country in the world in which this figure exceeds the human population,” commented Mr C. M. Hume, Supervisor of the Group Herd-Testing Federation, in an address at the Hamilton Rotary Club. “I am convinced that the cow population will continue to expand at a greater rate than the human population. Four-fifths of the total number of dairy animals in the Dominion are in the North Island, and about half of these are contained in the Auckland Province, which has doubled its cow population in the past 10 years.” Not Enough Pens at Sale Consternation was caused at the Frankton stock sale when, • owing to the large number of pigs that came forward, there were not enough pens in which to yards them. This meant that when the pigs, which were in the pens were offered, they had to be taken out and other pigs yarded in the runs. With over 2000 head yarded the large lorries which were used to transport them became jammed, and before

lpng there was a great tangle in the yards, no lorry being able to get in or out, while a queue of some twenty more vehicles had formed down Kent Street and into Norton Road extension. However, the assistance of the Borough Traffic Inspector, Mr L. Denz, was sought, and he eventually straightened out the matter and directed the traffic until most of the lorries had departed. The Wheat Market In reviewing the position of the world wheat market Mr W. W. Holland is of the opinion that there is little prospect of any substantial rise in wheat. “The effect on New Zealand,” he says, “will be that if we have to face next year with a surplus and depend on the world’s markets to obtain a reasonable price we will be disappointed. Within nine months I can see no substantial advance in world markets and the effect of crop shortages in the major areas will come too late to have any effect on New Zealand wheat sales, which fall in March, April, and May. It is more essential than ever that we have organised marketing - or New Zealand growers might easily suffer a serious set-back. In making this review I am not taking into account at all the domestic faction war among New Zealand millers. That cannot be assessed today.” Smaller Crops Everywhere A New York banking authority says that “harvests are smaller everywhere, especially in Central and South-East-ern Europe. Acreages planted in Australia and Argentina are less and conditions none too favourable. The Northern Hemisphere Crops excluding Russia and China, are about 350,000,000 bushels, or 11 per cent, less than last year, and Southern Hemisphere prospects suggest a world total 400 to 450 million bushels smaller than two years ago. This will permit the first reduction, outside the United States, in the surplus accumulated since 1927. Moreover, the world crop of rye, a competing grain, is 250,000,000 bushels or 25 per cent, smaller. These changes will put the wheat situation on a sounder basis and relieve most markets of the surpluses which have been plaguing them.”