FARM NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 18, 18 February 1942, Page 6

FARM NOTES

DEHYDRATION OF MEAT

The experiments initiated by the Auckland Provincial ExecutiA'e of the Farmers' Union in the dehydration of meat are progressing favourably. The Government has taken up the matter, and has received a trial order from the United Kingdom Ministry of Food for tAventy tons of dried meat, Avhich is in course of being prepared.

The Union had tAvo ends in view Avhen it, began to investigate the possibilities of dehydration. There Avas first of all the question of the large surplus of meat that seems likely to accumulate. And secondly, there: was the problem of making use of this in such a way as best to assist the Emigre's Avar effort. With the shortage of refrigerated shipping space it appeared jjrobable that a large quantity of meat Avould have to' be turned into fertiliser—at a time when it is badly needed in Britain and on the lighting fronts. Dehydration, by reducing the Aolume of the meat to one-filth and at the same time making, refrigeration unnecessary, oifered the possibility of getting a great deal of this, surplus meat overseas in ordinary cargo space, of Avhich there is mere aA railable. Efforts are being made to perfect the process and to bring it into operation on a large scale. If this can be (lone, an important contribution to the war efl'ort Avill have been made. Farmers' Meat Company

Some months ago the Auckland Farmers' Union launched a co-opera-tive meat company for the benefit of its members,"which was registered as the Primary Producers' Co-opera-tive Society Limited. Owing to the recent date of its formation it was feared, when the Fat Stock Disposal Order was promulgated, that these regulations would, have the effect of preventing the new company from operating. The matter was at once taken up with the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. J. (J. Barclay, who has since clarified the position. The intention of the Fat Stock Disposal Order was to conserve petrol. There was no intention that it should have the effect of prejudicing the efforts of the producers to co-oper-ate in the selling of their stock. A special clause was inserted, which was .intended, tlie Minister has stated, "to preserve the right of a producer to require that his stock shall be slaughtered and ' handled -during tiie current slaughtering season on

Uie producer's own account, notwithstanding the fact that (luring the previous slaughtering season lie !<old his stock outright lor slaughter for export." This means that the new co-operative, society can earn* on its operations. Insurance on Cow Sheds Some years ago the Farmers' Union took up -with the Government the question cf obtaining a reduction in the premium rates charged for fire insurance on cow *sheds. which appeared to be higher than was Avarranted* Nothing was ; done, although the matter was pressed from time to time. Just recently, however, the Auckland Executive of the Union communicated with the Auckland Fire Underwriters' Association, to which the various insurance companies belong, asking them to review the position. As a result the Association hat': advised that a reduction of approximately 25 per cent has been granted in the rates on milking sheds, this to take effect as from the first renewal of a policy on and after January 8, 1942. This reduction has the effect of bringing the insurance rate for milking sheds into line with those of other types of farm buildings. Farmers Called up for Service Captain li. M. Rush worth. President of the Auckland Province cm' the Farmers' Union recently interviewed the Prime Minister regarding the disabilities of farmers Avhose being called up for service has meant the abandonment of the farm, er the leaving of a Avoinan in charge. He Avas assured that such cases would be looked into, and that where the circumstances are more distressing than usual the matter will be attended to.