MODERN METHODS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22784, 7 January 1944, Page 3

MODERN METHODS

Dairying Practice AUSTRALIAN IMPRESSED There is much about New Zealand dairying methods which could, with advantage, be copied in Australia, according to Mr A. W. Wilson, of Victoria, a member of the Australian Dairy Board, who has been studying various phases of the industry in the North Island. Mr Wilson was greatly impressed with the condition of the land, especially in the Waikato. Extensive use of macrocarpa and lawsoniana on farms appealed to Mr Wilson, and on his return he intended to urge the wider adoption of shelter belts in the dairying areas of Victoria. He was also surprised at the advanced development of herd testing in this country. In Australia efforts were being made to increase the average production of butterfat per cow, which was too low, especially in comparison with that in New Zealand. The average fat yielded per cow annually in New South Wales was 1291 b, in Victoria 1371 b, and in Queensland 1281 b, against 2131 b in New Zealand. Little testing was done outside purebred herds, and the Dairy Board was making every endeavour to encourage widespread herd improvement. In Victoria the State Government had undertaken to bear the expense of a properly-institu-ted system.

As an instance of the prices paid in Victoria for pedigree Jersey cattle advice he had received of a dispersal sale. Two cows made 305 guineas each, an Australian record. For 24 females the average was 108 guineas, and for eight male calves it was 43 guineas. "There will be a great demand for live stock for farms after the war, both here and in Australia,” said Mr Wilson. "In our country there has been far too much indiscriminate slaughter of young bobby calves, and unless remedial measures are taken there will be insufficient dairy stock to supply ex-servicemen farmers and build up large supplies of fat foodstuffs, for which there will be a world-wide demand.” He considered dairy farmers should rear their heifer calves, even if they were later sold to the Government. Dairy herds required to be built up substantially. Considerable attention had been devoted to dehydration in the various States, he added, and one favourable result hoped for was the removal of second-class butter from the London market, thus improving the reputation of Australia. Owing to the dry spell, wheat crops in Australia had been reduced by about 50 per cent., and due to heavy sales of flour on war contracts only a small surplus was expected at the end of the coming season. The Government continued to give the growers a guaranteed price of 4/- a bushel up to 3000 bushels. Anything over that quantity supplied went into a ppol,