Keep Up Quality.

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 18607, 16 September 1932, Page 4

Keep Up Quality.

ADVICE TO WOOLGROWERS. BETTER PRICES IN VIEW. ATTENTION TO FLOCKS VITAL. There can be no denying the fact that the woolgrower in .New Zealand has good reason for despondency in respect of the prices lu is at present obtaining for his product. He is not alone in his misery, however, for wool values the world over have depreciated and his wool-growing brothers in other countries are beset Avith the the same serious difficulties.

The present conditions cannot remain indefinitely. The "come back" to better wool prices way be prolonged in the case of this depression as compared with former depressions, because in this depression there are many unique difficulties involved which had not to be contended with previously, and this is a fact no matter what some people say to the contrary. .

Deficiency Noted.

Quite a lot has appeared in print recently, and much of it is from authoritative sources, respecting a certain deficiency in quality of New Zealand cross-bred wools, as required by the Bradford Mills. Seemingly, there is some truth in all that has been written, but whether or not, in producing wool at in all things, there is always room for improvement and there are many woolgrowers in the Dominion who will be, well advised if they pay more attention to quality and this very naturally involves the health and general well-being of their flocks.

Good wool prices over a period of years seem to have brought a degree of laxity, the results of which just now are aggravating the situation. If quality were better prices would be better, for it goes without saying that even in depressed times, a superior quality Avool must bring a better price than poorquality; also it should cost little, if any more, to produce the higher grade article than the inferior one. The application of ordinary common sense, care and attention, tinged with a reasonable amount of good luck, will effect the necessary improvement. Better prices will return just as surely as the sun irises in the east and sets in the west, meantime are the irank and file of sheepfarmers taking full precaution to keep up the general health of their flocks, let alone improve the quality of the wool?

Misguided Action

To those in close touch with the sheepman and his activities there appears to be just now a decided tendency on the part of many sheepmen to "let things rip" because returns at present are not even commensurate with production costs. This course of action is decidedly wrong and the misguided ones may be made to painfully appreciate this fact when prices eventually swing back, and their flocks may not be in fit condition to produce the best possible results, and in this circumstance the loss and return to better conditions will be prolonged.

Depression or no depression, the health and general welfare of the flock must be the first consideration. The same care and attention must be paid to the selection of rams, culling and feeding.

Importance of Dipping

Dipping plays a highly essential part in the production of lamb, mutton and wool in this Dominion. Par too many farmers are prone to minimise the importance of this function and so conduct the dipping operation in accordance with this false idea. A thorough and well conducted dipping comes next to proper fieeding. It is an operation which can ,only he regarded in the light of an investment which is well worth the time and expense, provided always th dipping preparation used is of undoubted quality and reputation, and the manufacturers' instructions are carefully followed.

Animal Medicines

Parasitic gastritis is far too prevalent among New Zealand flocks, but this can be quite successfully held in check and, moreover, the cost of buying and administering suitable vermifuges weighed against loss caused by worms, is a mere bagatelle. Internal worm infestation saps health and strength and detrimentally affects quality, to say nothing about putting up the cost of production. In worm remedies, as in sheep dips, only those of proved merit should be entertained. It is usually a perfectly safe procedure to use the products of manufacturing firms with established reputations. They know what is required and do not offer inferior preparations for sale. Much improved times are ahead, therefore let every sheepman see to it that his flock, which is his capital, is in the best possible condition to reap the Ml benefit of the better prices. Surely, 3 if he breeds well, culls well, feeds we'll, dips well, and doses well, where necessary, all will be well again in the not so far distant future.