TARANAKI REVISITED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 260, 1 August 1942, Page 5

TARANAKI REVISITED

Great Producing Area

STOCK WINTER WELL Most of last week I spent in Taranaki a province re-visited alter i«ore tli.m . year’s absence. I found (lint Hie here had been one to promote pasture growth, just as generally elsewhere in tlit North Island. Travelling much oyer lhe south Taranaki countryside, I learned anew what a magnificent producing men this district wns, lor. both dmrying and fat lamb farming. Many old friends Mere called upon, and matters of inuch interest discussed. The day on which I set iortn was truly springlike, but on the succeeding’three days there blew a great southeasterly gale that was bitterly cold. Anu this was followed by two solid frosts. Lhecontrast was a reminder that winter was not yet over. Indeed, we should realise that there is every possibility of a month of really hard weather being experienced. That conditions had been easy was evidenced by the I’acf that on many Taranaki farms feeding-out had just started. And right up the coast I noted that the feed-, ing of chou nioullier crops had generally just started, this in late July. The first’stage of tho journey took me to Wanganui. It was observed en route that tho feed was really good, but that there were very, few lambs to be seen. Considerable provision of winter fodder had been made in crops of chop nioullier; but little newly ploughed ground was to •be found, and unexpectedly little sign of winter wheat. This brought to mind the "wheat drive” and the reflection that there did not seem as much wheat as usual in sight between Bulls and Wanganui. If I recollect correctly, there is one •big block of former wheat-growing land no longer functioning. The reference is to Ratana, where once 400 acres was grown each year. If this had a4O bushel yield, representing 16,001) bushels, it would suffice for almost 3000 people; for each acre of North Island wheat will feed close upon 5} persons. All the rivers were running in Hood and pastures were sodden, but despite such conditions the stock looked well. Inquiries from stock agents in Wanganui confirmed this impression of stock conditions. Also, it was advised that pastures and stock were likewise in good condition on inland districts. A good lambing was in prospect, together with a heavy wool clip, and a strong market was prevalent for all classes of stock.

In accounts of previous tours reference has been made to the wonderful bullock country up the coast from Wanganui. During the course of conversation I was told of a great draft of bullocks shortly expected. It is estimated that these would average 10501 b.; they were rising four-year-olds—not four-yea rs-off bullocks. They were owner-bred Shorthorns that hud been well done all through their lives. Last winter a draft of 168 head in tho-line from this same place averaged 10021 b.

For reasons of locality, I see fit to incorporate here some observations made upon the return journey; upward to Wanganui I was in a service ear and on the return in the train. Motorists through Wanganui have little opportunity to realize what a considerable dairying area lies in the Oltoia Valley. Here is a butter factory which has turned out as much as lODO tons of butter in u season, which represents the produce of 0000 to 7000 cows and so presumably that from 10,000 to 15,000 acres. The railway route gives one but a glimpse of this for there are many meandering valleys providing good dairying country all through these hills. About a mile or so south of Okoia, on the right hand side of the line, was observed a very big piggery, presumably utilizing the factory’s buttermilk. I his appeared excellently laid out, with good buildings and houses and an ample grazing area. The great number of Aberdeen Angus bulls seen for a mile or two along the left-hand side of the line hereabouts aroused my curiosity. Another observation concerns the gorse in this district, of which there seemed to be too much, on apparently useful, fairly easy bill country. From the train one gets a good view of Ratana village, with its great temple landmark. Just on from here was a paddock with the most young lambs I have seen together this season. As we entißtd Turakina station there was a crop of chou inollicr. that really took the eye; so very even and quite sft. to 6ft. tall over its considerable area. Onward to Kakariki, ■where signs of lite were noted at the big freezing works was a year ago fitted up as a cold store, using the plant from the beached liner Port Bowen. I hear that never a earease has been stored in the works; but even so one must not condemn the provision made, for it might have been needed. At llawera. The Egmont A. and I’. Association is a truly live-wire body and will have nought of defeatism. There is every intention of holding the u ( ;ici:did llawera show as usual, unless events take a very bad turn, which now frankly seems improbable. During u chat with the energetic secretary, Mr. It. MeCay, some incidents were recounted that illustrate the Taranaki spirit. Just before visit the annual accounts for members su ”" scriptions had been sent forth. I his took tlie forni of a circular headi.nl “Keep u.e old tlag Hying.” This was very -x--planatory of tho association s current policy. Jneorporatedt in >1 was (in appeal‘for a donation additional Io the actual subscription of £l. 'This was requested, because •’many of our generous donors are now on active service. It is explained Hint all such members arc kept linancial. without subscription, in response to this circular one member generously gave sgns. In another case the wife o£ a farmer came into the otlicc to pay her husband's subscription, bile inquired if it really was intended to holil the show, and uimjii being assured on inis point, said ; "Thank Gotl. That s something to look forward to.’ -She has a son overseas! This reaction to the k.»i.tinuance of the show is very typical, aMI it is a point which might be given consideration by other show committees throughout the Dominion. Egmont s committee takes the view that their continuing the. show is an md to national It is a service also, 1 hold. Io the cause of good farming. So is the opportunity taken to urge all dairy and pig breeders m particular, together with other breeders, to prepare for what promises t<> be tll( : one good show in the lower Norili Island tliis coming spring. The spirit that keeps the flag Hying here deserves support ot exhibitors. Another <-ull was made upon Mr. - v -, ls -. Fysou. secretary of the Taranaki Dairy Federation Veterinary Service. Inis was commenced five years ago. Lho past year’s operations, as set forth in the annual report, lately issued, are a tribute to the high success achieved. I later had. opportunity to see the actual workings, on the farms, of this service, and 1 cannot speak too highly of it. In a subseQuent issue some account will be given of the field operations. The unfortunate fact has to be recorded that projected extention of the service has been held up owing to unability to secure qualified veterinarians to take over fresh territories. J t was learned, independently, that this appeared to be due to lack of appreciation, in one case, by the Pcpartment of Agricult urv, which had two men engaged in less worthy work, who wer<‘ prepared to serve this valuable cause. They were not released by Ihe depart ment. Concerning final payouts for the past season’s’ operations, inquiries revealed that generally the “deferred payments’ would be down by one-eighth pence to id. a lb.; owing to increased cosis combined with a slightly reduced output, due to seasonal inllueiiev. This applied about equally over cheese and butter supply. A very serious feature, for the future of the dairy industry, is the fact that quite a lot of farmers will nut be saving calves this year because of labour shortage. Quite numbers did not do so last year. There is a tendency among many to milk the cows and do no more. This lessens, of course, the production oi pigs, ('onrerning these, I was intormed that last week a Waikalo buyer came to 'l’aranaki with a piaclically open buuk to buy nil the pigs could, lie got very few. however. n> tar pi_.< arc simply mu' lhrr<‘. The dntry stock market strengthen'd appreciably following lhe easing of the labour situation by the recall of men from the Army to tho farms. Aetudlj

there is a shortage of dairy stock over the whole North Island, and this aas now become, apparent. ' Somewhat contrary to my anticipation. it was found that the market f-‘t' good farm land was very strong. There were really few farms offering for sale, with more buvers than vendors available. Rennet Supply. On visiting Eltham a call was made at the office of the New Zealand Co-opira-tivt Rennet Co., Ltd., where a chat ivas hud with Mr. Ciaude Harrison, the man-ager-secretary. If was learned that ,lie company had enjoyed a very good year hut I hut the coming one wus u cause of much upset owing to the reduction in demand for cheese. There is some pios■peel, however, of exporting rennet to Canada ■'and .the U.S.A. Personally. 1 think that a market there could be readily opened up were it left to business men to do so. but unfortunately in these days practically the whole of our export trade is bureaucratically controlled. How great a service has been rendered to the New Zealand cheese industry, by having its own rennet producer, is illustrated by the fact that the price of this produce has remained unaltered throughout the war period. The net price to owning companies was £3/18/6 during the past (third) war season. In the last war rennet went to £4O a keg; for a product then of only half the proper strength. A keg contains 1001 b. of rennet, which makes about 20 tons of cheese. Therefore, while the current price represents; 3/11 a ton of cheese, that in tho last war represented 40/- a ton of cheese.