WOOL DETERIORATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19828, 30 April 1927, Page 21 (Supplement)

WOOL DETERIORATION

CAUSES AND REMEDIES AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION. A circular -letter from the Depart I meat of Agriculture regarding wool deterioration led to a considerable discussion at a meeting of the committee of the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society. Mr E. Averill, of Hastings, who recently returned from a visit to Engiland, and whose views on the matter were mentioned in the circular, stated that in his opinion the question of deterioration in the quality of the Dominion wool clip was one of manifold importance, and it was time that some action was taken to effect an improvement. It was “tippy” wool, and also wool containing kemp that they wanted to improve. “Tn my experience the fleeces on the great bulk of our sheep have become very inferior, chiefly duo to the selection of breeding ewes, which is very haphazard,” said Mr Alfred Reid. I “We must have good ewes. As well as ewes, however, the sire must be good. I think that societies running fairs should look to the condition of the rams coming into their yards if the quality of the sheep produced in this country is going to show any improvement. ’ ’ Mr J. H. Livingston: I suggest that it would be best for this society to adopt some method of raising the quality of the rams offered. Mr A. V. S. Reed: The wisp man does not buy his rams at a ram fair. I think the position is exaggerated by Bradford. I consider that the trouble should be eliminated by the stud breeder, not the flock owner. It is the breed societies that should be approached. A member proposed that the secretary be. instructed to comunicate with other societies, at whose ram fairs the I ring method was employed, in order to obtain full particulars of the method. Th e President: We have all particulars. It is merely a matter of finance, and the erection of a ring is going to be a considerable expense. Further, we would have to lengthen th c period of the. ram fair to four days. It was decided to approach the breed societies, suggesting that all flocks in their flock books be subjected to periodical inspection with th e object of eliminating culls. Further, that a letter be sent to the Department of Agriculture urging that at the proposed farm school to be held in Hastings from May 16 to June 24, special classes in wool classing be provided.

DOMINION WOOL SALES NINE MONTHS DISPOSAL. The following return has been compiled by Messrs Dalgety and Company of the quantities of wool offered and sold in New Zealand during the nine months ended March 31, compared with the quantities for the corresponding period of last season:— Nine months 1926-27 1925-26

Totals .. .. 519,508 502,989 512,377 477,852 Exports during the nine months of the present season were 489,621 bales, as against 478,620 bales in the previous season. TEAT INJURIES A USEFUL LOTION Minor injuries and mild diseases of, the teats are of much more serious import than many believe. No pimple, I abrasion, or slight chap or cut should I be neglected. In winter chaps and cracks are of common occurrence, and. are caused chiefly by the teats being ! left wet or cold after the stimulating wl.ich is the result of stripping. Ani- | mals with pendulous udders often re- . ciivc injuries from brambles and other I materials in the pastures. It is ■ important in cases such as these that they should be sterilised and softened by an emollient which will piovc harmless if accidentally dropped into the milk pail. Such a lotion can be made by dissolving loz. of boracic acid and .3oz. of glycerine in 40oz. of water. After immersing the teat for a. few minutes, it should be drained but not dried, so that a glycerinated film forms a protective as well as a softening agent. This method is recommended in a general sense for applica- ; tion to teats. Leaking teats are generally caused through injury to the delicate sphincter muscle which guards the entrance. The. forcing of milk by heavy fisted men operating with dry hands on heifers is a common cause. Warts are a frequent trouble; those can be treated

Offered. Sold. Offered. Sold. Bales Bales Bales Bales Invercargill . 27,i>81 26,226 24,892 23,832 Dunedin . . . . 7(1,489 69,852 65,332 63,287 Timaru . . . . 28,236 27,960 27,688 27,078 Christchurch . 76,095 75,118 74,401 71,199 Blenheim .. .. 238 222 138 117 Wellington .. 110,512 107,375 110,856 103,854 Wanganui . . 62,921 58,838 63.070 54,677 Napier . . . . 94,967 89,479 98,989 90,806 Gisborne . . . . 2,256 2,089 3.083 2,573 Auckland .. .. 46,713 45,830 43,928 40,429