IMPROVED PROSPECTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 310, 24 September 1921, Page 10

IMPROVED PROSPECTS

FARMING IN THE MANAWATU FEED BECOMES PLENTIFUL The copious rains which fell last week have been followed by nice warm days, and thi.4 has had a most beneficial effect on the feed. The grass has come away nicely, and feed is becoming plentiful, with the result that the cows are doing well and supplies of milk to the factories are increasing daily. Although no change is apparent so far in the demand for stora stock, the 'bettea' feed prospects should improve the position of holders of both sheep and cattle, but in the meantime practically nothing is doing. The prospects for the lambing season have further improved, and a-good deal of tailing and docking' have been done. It is practically certain that th® yield will bo a record one for the district, and the youngsters are healthy and strong. It is evident that there is a considerable increase 'n the number of black-face cress lambs, which should prove suitable for export. Demand for Dairy Stock. Any good dairy cows and heifers coming forward nearing profit are eagerly competed for, but/now that dairymen are culling their herds many cows which have been rejected are finding thej,r way into the saleyards ''Buyers are beginning to be suspicious of anything which docs not carry a guarantee. It is held that some steps will have to be taken to prevent such cattle coming forward without having seme distinguishing mark. It was stated • in a local paper the other' day that there 'had been quite a rush for Canterbury potatoes for" seed purposes in this district, but inquiries show the contrary to be the fact There is appearance of n smaller area being utilised for this tuber than for some years past. Fat Stock for Export. So far as fat stock for export are cerxerned, there is very little demand, and. the freezing companies have not vet announced prices for the coming season. Largo quantities of both sheep and bullocks are being held, K and owners are getting anxious as to the future movement of the market. So far no forward purchases of lambs for the London market have been made, and although there are rumours that prices will range from 6rF. to Bd. per lb. no definite information can be obtained. j The Friesian Derby. s At the Central Development Farm, Weraroa, a 365-day test is being, held of the three Friesian heifers entered for the Friesian Derby, which, has been instituted by the Friesian Society. The»heifers, when Judged for type at the Manawatu, spring show as y®^ 1 gained first honours. As. two-year-olds they will now take part m tb ®. test of the competition, for which A. in prize money has been gHocmed. Tins year another batch of yearlings will compete for type, and season will carry on with th® milking ttwt. L "° Friesian cows and one Bed T 01l from the same farm will also compete in the 365-dav milking test. Tn these tests all the animals are milked three times a day. - Impressions from English Visit. Mr David Buchanan, of Palmerston North, the well-known Ayrshire breeder, who has just returned from a visit to the Old Country, when being welcomed on again 'taking his seat at a meeting of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, said that during his absence he had attended many agricultural shows in England and Scotland, and he was of opinion that there was no agricultural and '.pastoral association in this Dominion which had anything to learn .from kindred associations in the Old Country in the method of running shows, or in results generally. In every way the New Zealand shows, even though smaller, were as well managed ns any he had seen. He had also visited all the principal moat markets, and from what he saw had come to the conclusion that sheep-farme-s and those exporting meat from New Zealand would have to alter their ways if they were going to make anything out of their meat in the future. With regard to butter, he\ found that to bo the most highly-appreciated of the Dominion’s dairy products, consumers saying that at present it was better than the Danish butter, but cheese was in a less satisfactory position.