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Sheep.—The station flock consisted of 5,894 ewes, of which 1,400 were two-tooths. The over-all lambing percentage was 95*6. A total of 2,803 lambs had been sold up till the end of March, and 205 bales of wool were produced. Cattle.—Run cattle were maintained in satisfactory condition during the year; 293 run cows produced 237 calves, a percentage of 81, and 215 cattle were sold during the year. Dairy Herd.-—The production of the dairy herd was well maintained up to the end of November, after which dry conditions caused a decline. From 98 cows a total of 20,754 lb. of butterfat and 48,522 lb. of milk was produced up to the end of March. Pigs.—Though mortality of young stores was slightly higher, in general pigs progressed satisfactorily. No carcasses were condemned for tuberculosis. A total of 100 fat pigs and 69 store pigs was sold during the year. Cropping.—The usual programme of growing and harvesting wheat, oats, peas, potatoes, sugar-beet, carrots, swedes, chou moellier, and rape was carried out. A considerable area of gorse was dealt with by heavy implements during the year. Young Farmers' Clubs Further progress has been made in the Young Farmers' Clubs movement during the past year, though not as spectacular as that registered in the period immediately following the war. Since the complete revival which took place in 1945-46 there has been a steady increase in the total number of clubs and a fluctuating rise in the average ■club membership. By the end of the 1946-47 year, membership had increased to nearly •8,000 and the number of clubs to 278. The rate of progress has since steadied down, the figures to date showing a total membership approaching 9,000 in 306 clubs —an increase of 28 clubs and an estimated increase of about 1,000 members. Every encouragement has been given to club officials and members to control the .affairs of their own units and to assist the progress of the movement by their own efforts. However, the success of the movement is largely in the hands of the departmental officers acting as district Y.F.C. secretaries. District secretaries who are keenly alive to the value of the movement and have an appreciation of local problems and requirements are able to inspire the club and district executives with the necessary sense of responsibility to their clubs and to the movement generally. The control of the movement, through its district committees, councils, and Dominion executive committee, is vested in the members themselves, but the Department has provided so complete an organization that all units must necessarily rely on it to secure co-operation and co-ordination. Work in the clubs has included lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and fielddays, all tending in the direction of agricultural instruction, and the social and recreational side has been developed. Debating has been encouraged, and every effort made to inculcate the spirit of leadership and citizenship. The numbers of clubs in the four council areas are— Council. 1946-47. 1947-48. Auckland .. .. .. .. 97 108 Wellington .. .. .. .. 90 97 Canterbury .. .. .. .. 53 54 Otago-Southland .. .. .. 38 47 Totals .. .. .. .. ..278 306

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