FARMING WORLD

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21525, 13 September 1941, Page 12

FARMING WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS (By ''Stockman’') Waikato Summer Show The attractive schedule of the Waikato Summer Show, which is now available, provides an indication of the thoroughness of preparations for this year’s jubilee show, which will be held at the Claudelands Showgrounds on October 31 and November 1. Entries will close on Saturday, October 18. The committee is sparing no endeavours to make the jubilee show of the association one of the most successful in its history and has provided even more classes besides introducing a number of novelty events. National Jersey Sale The highly satisfactory values realised at the National Jersey sale this week, when 127 bulls made the good average of 54gns, have given vendors at further bull sales in the Waikato this month every justification for optimism. If prices given at the National Sale can be taken as any indication, bull values in the Waikato this season should be higher than those of last year. The next big sale will be the Waikato Combined Breeders’ Bull Fair next week, when no fewer than 573 bulls will be offered. Carcase Evaluation

Of the 1500 pigs identified and examined under the carcase quality evaluation scheme, it was found that length, fatness and date of maturity were no different in any breed, Mr M. J. Scott, Superintendent of the

Pig Industry, told a recent meeting of fhe Waikato Pig Council. However, said Mr Scott, there were outstanding strains within a breed, a most interesting feature being the length of time required to reach a

given weight. Pigs born in March took 57 days longer to reach killing weights than pigs born duirng October, November and December. Pigs born in June and July showed a quicker growth rate than those born in January, February and March. High Prices in Britain

In Britain war does not appear to have had any adverse effect on the dairy industry. The London Farmer and Stock Breeder contains a report of a sale of dairy cows at Preston, England. The main yarding was composed of Milking Shorthorns with a sprinkling of Friesians and Ayrshires. Cows in milk brought to £l5O, many were sold at £l2O and the lowest price realised was £3B. Figures like these show that dairy cattle are not only maintaining their value in England, but are in demand at higher prices than ever. A stable price for products is the chief factor in this confidence.

Pig Clubs Praised Mr M. J. Scott, superintendent of the Pig Industry, who recently concluded a tour of the Waikato district, had much to say in praise of the pig clubs in the area. Speaking at a meeting of the Waikato Pig Council, he said that the clubs had been responsible for a remarkable improvement in the quality of the pigs. Mr Scott stressed the necessity of keeping the clubs in existence for once j they were allowed to cease operations lit would be very difficult to com- | mence them again. The superin- | tendent also paid a tribute to the ' valuable advice being given to the producers by the district supervisor Mr C. P. Harington. Recording of Sows Regret at the falling off in sow recording from 600 to 200 within three years was expressed by Mr M. J. Scott at a meeting of the Waikato Pig Council. He stressed the importance to breeders of recording with a view to ascertaining the prolificacy and weight for age of their breeding stock. When pig recording was first established all kinds of sows were recorded and this achieved a remarkable improvement in pig management. Mostly grade animals j were then recorded but recording of pedigree pigs had not been very impressive so far. Mr Scott considered that it would be an excellent thing to re-introduce the recording of grade sows. Feeding Britain The question of feeding Britain so that the Mother Country will be able to maintain a fair standard of national health for citizens and soldiers, is one that is exercising health authorities, as well as the Government, to the most serious degree. It is being tackled in such a whole-hearted fashion, however, that gardens, parklands and even the moats round his- J toric castles are being utilised for the growing of garden and field crops. In spite of the shortage of some foods, says John Orr, noted British j food authority, Britons will finish the , war a better and and healthier people ! than they began it.