FARMERS’ UNION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21819, 23 November 1940, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION

Pleasant Point Branch Management Of The Ewe Flock At a meeting of the Pleasant Point Branch of the Farmers’ Union Mr G Blakemore presided over a good attendance of members. Correspondence was received from Dominion Headquarters dealing with the provisions of the Excess Profits Bill. The Hon. W. Nash advised that as a result of representations from the Chamber of Commerce and the Farmers’ Union, certain anomalies in th' Act had been removed and the powers of the Appeal Committee had been enlarged. The president said that the Farmers' Union Headquarters had put up a splendid case to the Minister, and the thanks of farmers were due to it. Correspondence from the Dominion Headquarters was also received with reference to the question of standard values of stock for Social Security purposes. Correspondence between the Commisisoner of Taxes and headquarters was read, and the objections raised by Headquarters were endorsed. The secretary- briefly outlined the objections to the Small Farms Amendment Bill. The Bill constituted a direct attack on the security of tenure of farmers’ holdings, and the action of the Provincial Executive in lodging a strong protest was endorsed The secretary advised that the Farmers’ Union was co-operating with Army Headquarters in an endeavour to obtain horses for the C.Y.C. camp. The requirements for South Canterbury were 180 saddle horses and nine pack horses. The district had been divided into three troop areas, and the secretary urged that any farmers with suitable horses should advise him. Farmers would receive £5 for the use of each horse accepted from January 1 to April 30, 1941. and compensation would be paid if the horse was damaged while under the care of the military authorities. Several horses were promised at the meeting, and members agreed to make an effort to obtain as many suitable horses as possible. Mr R. G. Cleland, the speaker for the evening, was introduced by Mr Blakemore, who stated that Mr Cleland had earned a reputatiton in the district as a most successful flock master. Mr Cleland dealt with the management of the ewe flock, tracing the year’s work from weaning time onwards. After stating his preference for having a ewe flock to type, Mr Cleland dealt with the various problems of flock management, including methods of prevention and cure of footrot, the precautions necessary to prevent mortality after dipping, the best time for dipning ewes and rams, the necessity to flush the ewes, useful hints on the feeding of the flock, and management of the rams. Mr Cleland emphasised the value of salts and licks for the ewes, and then dealt with some of the better known ailments of ewes and lambs. The care of the ewes at lambing time, the question of drafting, the type of yards, green feeding of ewes after lambing and other problems affecting the ewe flock were fully discussed by Mr Cleland. On the motion of Mr T. B. Hart, seconded by Mr Blakemore. Mr Cleland was accorded a vote of thanks The secretary was instructed to obtain a lecture on the care of implements for the next meeting of the branch. On the motion of Mr Cleland, seconded by Mr Roberts, Mr Blakemore was appointed to represent the Farmers’ Union on the Home Guard Committee.