FARM and DAIRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 November 1924, Page 9

FARM and DAIRY

NOTES BY THE WAY. Hairy fanners should be pleased with the opening of.- the season, for every-: thing in nature and in man’s affairs seem to have conspired for their benefit so far as this is possible.; PastmresiiV every direction look well and plentiful, and therefore natural feed, which is the very best for the stocky and! which, therefore should be encouraged by liberal treatment, is abundant. To this every farmer will agree, and this the successful progressive farmer. practises every year. If, therefore, the farmer, did his part during the- cold months when feed was scarce and fed his stock with lucerne and roots so that they wintered well, -and' came in in good heart, for that critical time of the cow’s life, he should be on a very fine wicket indeed. - -

Advices from dairy factories show that production has so far been very good, and this year promises a record. They all show a distinct increase on last year’s capital figures, somewhere about six or seven per cent. If the weather remains favourable, though* indications seem father to point to some dry weather, the increase should; be maintained.

The disposal of the produce of' the factory is the; problem .set r- for every board of directors. Last year some companies seemed to strike the" luck ‘of the market, while others had the reverse experience. It all seems a bit haphazard,;, and to point to the need o,f a better system. It is to he hoped that the Board of Control will he able to solve the knotty problem. The country right through to Palmerston North looks extremely well just now, and farmers all along are’ optimistic of; the prospects', v In many parts of the country one sees a spread of gorse which should not be. allowed, for it soon takes control and proves harder to check, the more it spreads, besides scattering itg'-seeds over the surrounding country. . The traveller going through sees hillsides too precipitous to be of use for grazing, with the hush cut and burnt out and its place taken by a riotous growth of gorse' and. -other : weeds. Gorse makes quite goodyhedges in 1 some parts when controlled, and South Taranaki had miles of them years ago where now is the useful excellent sheltering boxthorn, a wonderfully useful belt -for the farmer on this salt-spiray swept area.

Records in butter production in the Auckland district continue to be established this season. The quantity received,, for grading in October was 205,477 boxes, compared with 160,289 received .in October last year, an increase of 45,188 boxes. The season’s output to date, is also a record, being 391,813 boxes -against 313,933 boxes last year, an increase of 77,880 boxes. The cheese produced this season totals 23,196 crates, against *24,857 last year, a decrease of 1661 crates.

; Speaking, of the dairy farming of “the southern portions of the South Island, a resident who has been visiting Taranaki said he was amazed at the output of the province and at the wonderful growth of grass. He added that in Southland they grazed their cattle eight months, and were obliged to feed out to them during the remaining portion of the year. Last week a new' butter factory was officially opened by the chairman of directors of the Golden Coast Cooperative Hairy Factory on the Wset Coast. , Several speeches were given by ‘representative farmers, all predicting a useful and successful career for the factory. In. -a. brief.. . reference to a trip through Scotland, a leading Rangitikei Jersey breeder said recently that on account of the prevalence o*f the foot and month disease very little of the hest, : class of stock-was to he seem in the show ring. They were going in for a. breed which he termed Scottish Friesian** while some of the animals were half Ayrshire. This strain was cultivated on account of 'its utility. The combination of the two breeds was a fine one, and comprised a better and more compact animal than those to be seen at the majority of shows in the Dominion. They were, of course, looked after, and for six months of the year; were stabled. .Since the Argentine International Exhibition, at which New Zealand sheep carried off many of the highest awards, there have been many inquiries from South America for rams. As a result 39 stud rams are being shipped by the steamer Port Caroline for Buenos Ayres breeders.. Of these rams 16 are Corriedales, 13 Romneys, and 10 Lincolns. A ; performance » that is probably unique in, show annals in New Zealand has been 'established by Capt. Glossop, - the chamoion hack at the Carterton show. He has won the ladies’ hack competition on that ground six times, the first time‘being in 1914. He won again at the Royal Show at Palmerston North;

“The cat is the best natural enemy to the. .rabbit that we’ve got,” declared Mr Menzies at th© meeting of the Banks Peninsula Rabbit Board recently. He said that cats should be encouraged on the Peninsula, for they did not at>(nk young lambs, and they killed the young rabbits. Many young fellows shot cats, and to stop that the Board should put up notices on th© properties. His remarks were agreed with by the Board’s inspector, Mr E. A. Radcliffe. '

WANGANUI A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

JUBILEE SHOW

SOME HISTORY'.

(Herald.) Past- presidents are as follow: Messrs. J. H. Nixon, J. B. Murray, J.. Cameron, H. V. Hammond, F. R Jackson, E. A. Campbell, Jamee Higgle, R. Russell, F. Moore, J. Sinclair. Past secretaries : -—Messrs. J. Gordon, E. N. Liffiton, J. Somerville, F. R. Jackson, J. Duigan, A. Filmer, Selby Morton, G. Gifford Moore.

THE MEN OF OLD. It is fitting just her© to hark back to 1874, and to give a few particulars of the fixture of -that year, showing that, however largely the event naturally loomed in public interest in those early days, the growth of the r-how has been something which probably the most sanguine of its promoters never realised. 'Hie names of these promoters will perhaps strike the interest first. We find that the president of the association fifty 3'ears ago was that fine old English gentleman, the Jate Mr. H. S. Harrison, of V7arrengate, near Fordell, while the vicepresident was that equally fine Scottish gentleman, the late Mr. John Cameron, of Marangai, No. 1, Line. Mr. (afterwards Colonel) J R. Somerville was the secretary and treasurer, while the committee comrmsed Messrs F. R!. Jackson, W. T. Owen, E. A. Campbell. John Morgan, John Handley, G. S. Robertson, John Heslop, John Fleetwood, James Stent, and Dr. R. C. Earle.

Most of these have since joined the great majority with one exception,

Mr. E. A. Campbell, This gentleman has continued the same keen interest in 'the association as he did half a century ago, has: filled numerous offices in it, including the high positions of president and patron, and to-diay, though; over eighty years of age, is still hale and vigorous, and taking an active part in its affairs. May his numerous friends, have the pleasure of seeing him vear by year at the show for many a aay to come! ; THE SHOW OF 1874. The show fifty yeans ago was held in a paddock in Victoria Avenue belonging to the late Mr. W. H. Watt. Wo read in the report of the show‘‘What with the constant arrival of. waggons, traps, and horsemen one could almost have imagined; himself at a country fair in England, nothing but a few organ-grinders being wanted to make arrangements complete. The convenient' locality of the showground, the obliging manner of the clerk of the weather (the day was a fine one, it may. be mentioned. —Ed), and the -long-talked-ofj exhibition brought a large number of visitors, both pedestrian and horsemen, .some hailing from the Rangitikei district, to the 6cene of operations. There were 82 horses entered, among them the one-time famous thoroughbreds, Hay Hawn and Phantom, and their quality was highly praised’ The number of cattle entries, is not recorded, it being stated, however, that it was “not very large/’ There were no fat cattle shown, the 'reason being attributed to “the demand for such in the market combined with the late had weather. ” There were 84 sheep entries, which were evidently a good exhibit, since it was reported that “Wanganui- can probably show vanity "in possessing them.” There was only one pen of three pigs, and it was stated that “farmers appear .to hd doing away with the household porker' and relying on the half-wild or bush pig for general use.” , “The show of poultry was small, but the birds .in each class were large,” runs the report on this section, size evidently being considered as compensation for fewness of numbers. Of farm implements, • “several ploughs and two sets of- harness were shown.” In the produce section in those days it was usual, to have a class for ale and porter, and it was remarked with probably unconscious humour, that “three competent judges would be appointed” to adjudicate. . Speaking at the . luncheon ; Mr. McGregor stated that be was the oldest member of the association by a long way, The first show; in Wanganui was held in the old Pound at the other side of the river over 60 years ago. He, the speaker, was, a judge of draughts at that show. One exhibitor he remembered well, was JVIr. J. Rojleston of No. 2 Line. When he was going home he was damning the speaker because he knew so little .about draughts. “He was quite right too,” added Mr. Campbell. Continuing Mr. Campbell said that often that the show was held in a paddock in the Avenue and later they changed to the present grounds.

It was a hard struggle to keep going; He was associated with Mr. W. T. Owen in running the show and the latter gave up and the speaker continued and one year had a credit balance of £63. New blood came along and the show progressed. In the early days the * difficulty was to get the young men to take an interest in the show. They even had to pay their judges to come from other. parts. As far as the show was concerned, it had always been a struggle. One of the difficulties was the lack for purebred breeders in the district. RESTORING FERTILITY. The committee of enquiry get up by the Government to investigate the condition of lands which have deteriorated and to make recommendations towards restoration of fertility have an important task to fulfil. 'lt is beyond dispute that profitable production creates benefits which permeate all sections of the community, promoting trade providing employment and establishing assets which are bulwarks, of prosperity. There ar© millions of acres in this island which have revoked, as it were, the promise given ihf the early stages of development. The original pasture was really excellent, and for some years the settlers ! were justified in their high hopes, and compensation for the hardships of pioneering seemed assured. Carrying capacity was entirely satisfactory, and both sheep and cattle thrived. It may be safely assumed that the maintenance of that original productivity would mean today an increase in the gross income of the farming community of Taranaki of at least £1,000,000 per annum. Problems such as this may be expected in a new country. The wonder really is that English grasses took so readily in this Antipodean country and have persisted so well. The committee of an enquiry may no doubt receive information detailing the difficulties of settlers. There will be no lack of this and much- sympathy may be accorded them, hut the crux of the whole matter lies in ascertaining and defining remedial measures These should aim at re-establishing profitable production rather than granting temporary relief. Many factors Jiave their varying degrees of influence Adequate finance, means of access, judicious stocking, efficient fencing, all these are of importance, hut the quickest and most promising means of restoring fertility lie in extensive topdressing with Fertilisers. The marvellous effect of basic slag on all pastures m laranaki is too well kn<own to need emphasising in this province, hut the committee of enquiry may not all be so familiar with its use, and the evidence placed before .them in Stratford was opportune and well advised. The task of applying same bv hand has been extensively undertaken, and those farmers who do so are the keenest advocates of its use.

_ The committee may rest assured that the solution of the problem is generally regarded of great national importance, and that practicable recommendations will not be rejected on the score of expense. The Prime Minister has pnbJj,clv stated that an expenditure of £50,000 would he amply justified if the hill country could he restored to fertmty. It is to be earnestlv honed that the recommendations will he 'comprehensive and in accordance with the gravitv and extent of the question submitted for their investigation and report.

CHEESE AND BUTTER;"

THE OTANT NGAERE, CHEESE.

About 120 people, all commercially interested in the dairv produce trade, made their way to the London Pro-

vision Exchange on the afternoon when one of New Zealand’s “ton” cheeses on show at Wembley was offered for sale by auction to the highest bidder (slays an exchange). The arrangements were made by Mr. W. Grounds (New Zealand Dairy Board), and all the big. firms handling butter and cheese were circularised ten days previously. The cheese is still at Wembley; it will be weighed on October 1, when the prize winners in the weight-guessing competition will receive their awards, and the buyer of the cheese will take possession of his purchase. The auction was conducted by Mr. Partington, a. member of the Exchange, who volunteered his services. On the day previous Mr. Partington went to the New. Zealand Pavilion at the Exhibition, inspected the “twiner,” and, keen to be one of the weight-gneesers, he qualified for two tickets 'by buying two pounds of butter. This butter was offered for sale before the cheese, ,and so spirited and enthusiastic were the bidders that the price of five guineas per pound was reached before the hammer fell. The ten guineas thus realised has been given to the benevolent fund of the Provision Association.

When it came to the turn, of the cheese, Mr. Partington referred to the ideal conditions surrounding its manufacture in New Zealand, told the quantity >of milk used, and said that M.r. Woods, the manager of the Ngaere factory, bad three times wbn the Lonsdale Cup for the highest average in cheese-mairing. Competition became very keen, bidding beginning at 112 s per cwt and going up to 182 s. At this latter fancy price it became the property of Mr. David Greig. the director of an influential group of multiple shops in and around London. Doubtless, Mr. Greig will see to it that his unique purchase/obtains wide publicity, and in this way New Zealand will be sure of an equally wide advertisement.

When the cheese is removed from the Exhibition it will be ’ enclosed in the steel hoops, which will he loaned in order to ensure safe transfer from Wembley to the London store. At the time of the sale the current price of best white cheese was 945, and of coloured 90s, so that the price realised for the approximate ton giant was nearly 100 per cent, above current value.

The.’ advance arrangements were made by Mr. Grounds and his colleagues, Mr. Motion and Mr. Thacker, who also inaugurated the wider attention to the quality of New Zealand dairy produce. And there is no doubt that their purpose is being achieved. This particular cheese should be at its prime in November.

AMERICAN DAIRYING

BUTTER MARKETING METHODS

CONDEMNED

Hr. R. M. Kinross, of Inverell, who is a. noted breeder of Guernsey cattle, has just returned from a trip to America,. The doctor attended the dai.rv conference .at Wisconsin. In that State his son is manager of the Fl] Jane dairy farm, where some of the best Guernsey cattle in the world are located. The doctor thinks the American dairyman is far ahead of the Australian in his methods. One feature of the industry there was the number of wealthy men who took up dairying as a hobby. These men spent enormous sums in buying highlybred tested cows and high-class sires. Young sires from these; herds were distributed amongst the smaller men, and thus there was a continued improvement throuahout the State in the quality of the dairy cattle.

•The method of marketing the butter in the, States is one in which the dairyman has no say. There is no co-operation and the result is that there is verv little good butter on the market. Dr. Kinross states that throughout his travels he never tasted good butter, except on the farms themselves. The market is controlled by speculators, who buy trainloads of butter of various grades, blend on great mixing floors, and sell the whole as first grade. While this system prevailed Australia need not fear the United States as a rival in the world’s market. The doctor says that before he left for America, he was opposed to the Australian proposal to market all butter under one brand, but from what he had learned in his travels he had come back satisfied • that the idea, was right one, and he was now strongly in favour of it. N.Z. PRODUCE AT WEMBLEY.

In conversation with a representative of a South Island paper, a le'ading man of the dairy produce world says of Wembley:

“There is no doubt in my opinion that the Empire Exhibition has had a stimulating effect on the demand for our butter, and there can be no question that the exhibition has been a splendid advertisement for our products. I have had letters from people wlio have visited the exhibition and they all say how impressed they were with the New Zealand butter display. The result of that display ha,s been that many people in England are now buying our product for their own household supplies. “One of the leading firms handling New Zealand dairy produce in England made a special display of our butter at the exhibition, and that, in conjunction with the activity of those controlling the New Zealand Court, has had a very beneficial effect in the direction of drawing the attention of the British public to the excellent quality of our butter. T firmlv believe that this increased popularity for our product will create and extend the demand for it.” SIBERIAN COMPETITION.

Dealing with this phase of the problem. he ©aid: “We must remember that Siberia i* coming into the market; and large and increasing supplies of butter from that country are expected to arrive in England.* So long as we maintain the present quality of our commodity we have not verv much to fc’ar from Siberian competition or any other ■ country producing a low grade article such a v s the butter manufactured in Siberia. It will take vears for the Siberian produoer to attain our standards of quality which. I may say. have not been created in five minutes. The point raised, however, has been considered and we have it in mind and will be able to meet such a contingency. Tt behoves all those who are interested in butter manufacture in this country to epa.re no effort* to improve the quality of the production.”

DOES FARMING PAY?

CHARGES TOO GREAT.

“Farming is not a payable proposition in New Zealand or in any other part of the world,” declared Mr A. J. Sinclair (general manager of the New Zealand Co-op. Dairy Company) at a

meeting of suppliers’ committees at Waitoa. This, said Mr Sinclair, was on account of the high prices for commodities compared with" the 1914 level. While prices in many branches had gone down, those with which the dairyman had to contend had net decreased in the same proportion. He quoted as an instance the freight on butter and cheese, which, even with the reductions just effected, would be 60 per cent (for butter) and 81 per cent, (for cheese) above the pre-war rate.

Farmers, he continued, should rot look for more than Is fid per lb for their butter-fat. It was no use waiting for butter-fat to rise to Is 8d or Is 9d per lb, because it never would. The only way to obtain better conditions, therefore, would be to cut down manufacturing costs, to improve the system on their farms and to milk a better grade of cow. COMMERCIALISING THE INDUSTRY. AMERICAN COW TESTER TELLS WHERE PROFITS GO. Which gives the most profit to the producer, 10 cows that average 10,000 pounds of milk for the year, or 20 cows that average 5000 pounds of milk ? Manning Nelson, head of the De Pere Cow Testing Asaociation, which is under the supervision of the University of AYisconsjn, hits on some sound facts concerning the dairy industry when he puts such questions to his association members. Records show, states Nelson, “that 45 milk cows out of every 100 cows fail to pay for their keep.” The tester declare* further: ‘ ‘Those who own the 45 cows might just as well sell them and save the extra expense and labour. If it is true that there are boarder cows in the association, how much more true must it be in the herds that are out of the association.”

Nelson believes that there are two ways in which a dairyman can realise greater profits—by producing cheaper and by getting more of the dairy product.

“It is. true that many dairymen do not receive enough for their products; hut is it possible to receive prices high enough, for dairy product* produced by a cow that gives 4000 pounds of milk and 160 pounds of butter-fat during the year, and make a profit?” asks Nelson. These figures are given out by the United States Statistics Bureau a* the average production per cow in the State*. The tester further asserts: “We have no right to ask the public to keep up and pay for the inefficient producers.”

STANDARD HERD TEST

(From Australasian)

Tne particular* of the uniform scheme ters for Agriculturebg b gf b g ggg g for herd testing adopted by the Ministers for Agriculture in conference has been made available, and will be much discussed during Show week. It will certainly be a gain to breeders to have uniformity of classification over all the States, and the time was certainly ripe in Victoria for raising the standards Mature cows must now produce 3501 b. butterfat in 273 days instead of 2501 b. as formerly in Victoria. ’ South Australia has already quoted these standards in the returns for the year ended June 30 last, and published recently. It is interesting to notice that 15 out of 29 mature cows in th© South; Australian record qualified ,the highest return, 6881 b. fat, being produced by a Friesian, Woodcrest Duchess Pietje, from 20,7031 b. milk. This compares well with the Victorian record cow Dominion Queen Mercedes, also a Friesian, which produced 21,3741 b. milk, 7201 b. fat as mentioned last week. No fewer than 226 cow's four years or over in the Victorian list recorded over 3501 b. fat, so that there should be no lack of standard cows for next year. Seventyseven younger cows also reached the 350 standard, and 17 heifers. Examining the heifer class in terms of the new standard, it will be seen that 247 out of 350 entered produced 2001 b. fat or over. Perhaps the most important feature about the new regulations is that the performances of all cows must be published whether they qualify or not. This may have the effect of preventing some breeders from entering their herds, but it will provide dairymen generally with a valuable guide as to what to avoid as well as what to seek after. The remarkable total of 1,406 females was entered for the last year, and it is a seripus commentary on the position of the industry i n the State to find that 50 per cent, of the cows and heifers have failed to_ reach the new standard. Many failed to qualify under standards, and the question ■» natura] !y arises is, will owners still breed from such cows. Though not up to standard, they may still more than pay for their keep, ‘ but their progeny will not work the good for the industry so earnestly desired. The remarkable success achieved by a well-known breeder of Ayrshire Cattle m raising his herd test into a highly profitable figure is mentioned in the annual report on the standard herd test in the Journal of Agriculture. Mr. G Bamford’s Medburn Grove herd, wnch is located near Benalla, innortheast Victoria, entered the test in 191920 With only on e cow, which completed her lactation period in that vear The next year, 1920-21. the average was 225 lb. for eight heifers; 2721 b. for four three-year-olds, and 2611 b. for nine mature cows. The next year. 1921-22, six heifer* averaged 2381 b. each, three poston}^ 1 " 8 ' f°3lh., and eight mature cows 3211 b. of fat It is noticeable that four cows had been dropped from the previous year’s number, no doubt culled out. In the year 1922-23 the averages were improved to heifers 243 lb post-heifers 32 61 b., mature cows 3j6H>. In the present year, th© fine averages of 2501 b. for heifers, 3121 b for post-heifers, and 4171 b. for mature cows were obtained. This represents an -actual yield of 3551 b. fat for everv on© of the 19 females in the herd, and a gam of over 1001 b. butter-fat per head, or a total of 1,5081 b. fat more .rom the herd with two cows less in number This is a gain of about £8 oer head or more than enough to pav For ,b© milking and care of the animals n this improvement in yield no sacrifice in type wa s made, as the herd yarned prizes at the Royal and at leadmg Gmriburn Valiev shows What has been done by this dairy farmer can be done hv other farmers if thev will go to the expense of a good bull with production records behind him The strong points in this uniform scheme are that the lactation periods will be the same in all the States, also the method of making the tests Uure stock are constantly beino- so pi from one State to another, and uniformity will facilitate operations In new of the important interests involved nothing less than official testing will satisfy in Australia. Dairy fc niU ! S " re tl,at anv animal v.h,eh they buy on test has" authen- - b l 6 tocords. To have tests carried out ' nerd societies or bv private individuals as in America,* or even semiofficial tests as elsewhere, would not i be satisfactory. The unheralded visits

of testers must also be regarded as necessary. In Victoria the greatest confidence is now shown in test figures/ a compliment to the integrity and skill of departmental officers. On the 5 other hand, one might well question the necessity for a uniform scheme -for States with such widely varying conditions. In Tasmania, for instance, with little facility for cross-country travelling, with scarcity of experts/ and depleted public funds, to insist upon experts spending so much time at one place shows great want of knowledge of conditions. Apparently the' fees fixed for Victoria, namely, £2 herd fee and 10s per cow, are not uniform all over the States, for, in a Tasmanian paper, the Examiner, it is stated that herd-testing fees, are to he raised 25s per cow. This'is a crushing impost, which will effectually stop the productive improvement of pure herds in the island. With its climate, Tasmania could be the leading State in dairying, and occupy as important a. position in the world’s markets as does New Zealand. Tasmanian dairy herds have as a rule a short lactation period, due mainly to dependence upon natural pasture and want of protection against the weather. The average return per cow is low, but testing in all countries has been invariably followed by better feeding and the provision of shelter, sq; that apart from the improvement by culling out poor cows, the' good cows are made to produce more. In the Tasmanian senior dairy supervisor’s last report it was shown that in stud, herds under the test the returns from heifers increased from, 2091 b to 2661 b per head; of three-year-old cows from 2751 b to 3001 b; of cows over four years; from -3251 bto 3441b. X The general average increase’ was : 451 b pep. head. If. this increase could ' be applied to the whole of the. dairy cows of the State it would be worth, at Is 6d per' lb: £270,0Q0, and every 101 b per cow increase is worth £60,000 .» year. Oft these figures 'it would pay the Tasmanian Government to shoulder the whole cost of‘ testing, but this dairy-.' nion dp hot ask. They are even prepared, : apparently, to pay twice the fees demanded in Victoria, as they do at'present. ' It is to be hoped that the amount of, the fees will be reconsidered,’/ The consensus of opinion among Victorian breeders is that too many classes or standards have been made. Alt are agreed that, separate, .standards fqr junior and senior two-year-old heifers are advisable, but the majority are jOf opinion that the other new classes' mould well, be left out. The only reason for their" inclusion seems to be that they are recognised in America and in New Zealand. There is a rumour" to the effect that herd societies are to be compelled to publish the returns of all cows of. their breed under test, whether they reach the ‘standard ‘or 'not. This, of course, would be quite, an unwarranted infringement on the liberty of the subject, and is not likely to be attempted; ' That these, returns should be made ' public in the departmental, journal is' approved of, and some go as far as to say that besides branding standard 1 cows, those. which, 'fail '; to reach their standard on two separate occasions should be marked in such a way as to prevent, their being unloaded, on to umvarv dairy farmers, apparently the full text of the agreement drawn up at the Mini sters’ conference has not yet been rqade nublio,: and judgment must be suspended until everything is clear.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

THE GOVERNMENT’S LAXITY

GREATER ACTIVITY URGED

That the - Department of Agriculture should be urged to greater activity in agricultural research work was advocated at a meeting of .New Zealand Co.op. Dairy Companies Suppliers* Committees at Waitoa. The matter arose out of: a •discussion regarding experiments to determine the actual' losses of butterfat during the process of the separation of \yhole milk. The Department, it was explained- had been urged to conduct experiments in this connection, but' so far the company had not received any reply. The New Zealand Dairy Companies’ chemist, however, had conducted experiments but these were so far incomplete. The loss of butterfat it was ascertained,, was not entirely due to the separator, but also in other machinery, and if certain improvements were effected to the plant the losses might be greatly minimised. It was considered that the company should be complimented upon the experimental work carried out, but such 'experiments should not be left to • the individual companies to perform '' Although New Zealand was an important dairying country it was most backward m connection with experimental -work The Dairy Division should conduct more scientific research work, which the Department alone could adequately carry out in connection with the dairying and stock branches of the industry. Thousands of pounds worth of dairy factory supplies were going down the drains for the want of experimental facilities.

A motion was carried urging the Gov ernment to carry out more scientific research work in connection with dairying.

MEAT EXPORT TRADE. MARKETING FACTORS. - BEEF TRADE POSITION. ARGENTINIAN COMPETITION. How New Zealand lost her former position as a considerable exporter 6f beef to the Home markets, and the factors responsible for the position that to-day the Dominion exports under that head have fallen away to a mere negligible quantity, were dealt with by the manager of one of the leading stock agency establishments in the Manawatu in an interview’with a “Standard” reporter. “The beef trade,”- he stated at the outset, “is a mere negligible asset to this Dominion at the present time, and we have been almost forced out of the Home markets. The factors leading up to this position are many,' but the principal reason, I think, is to be found in the situation which arose. during the period of the wool commandeer ' -

“It will be remembered that the good prices which prevailed at that time resulted in many beef growers abandoning their interests in .that branch of farming and turnino- their attention to sheep. What happened? When the commandeer was removed, many of the erstwile cattle men returned to theii- former activities, but it was then too late. They found that fch e Argentine growers bad established a firm hold on the' English markets and had built up such a well-organ-ised and efficiently-managed export trade that it meant that New Zealand cattlp men, unable to compete on an equal basis, were practically shut out of the markets.

..That, "as I have said, is the principal; reason for the slump in our beef exports, but of course there are other factors to be considered and they are such that, even under ordinary and the most favourable circumstances,

New Zealand growers would be placed at a decided disadvantage. ;

“One has only to study the map of the world to gain a fair idea of what we in New Zealand are confronted with. The Argentine is about 14 days or so sail from England, while we, on the other hand, are/six or seven. “ “That, I am aware, is not a.clinching argument in explaining the Argentinian advantage in the beef market, but it is, nevertheless, on e that, lias a considerable influence on the' position. Tlfe Argentine grower chills his beef, whereas we have to freeze it. Here it is that the shipping factor comes into prominence. It is ' manifestly impossible for New Zealand to export chilled beef, largely oil account of the great distance from the market. The Argentine labours under no such disadvantage, and by reason of the short voyage she is able to maintain a steady and practically continuous, supply. “The last word, however, had not been said on the subject by simply accepting .these reasoffs. There is the’ question of quality and breeding to be considered.

‘ ‘Argentine beef growers believe in pedigree quality, and pure-bred sires ard regularly imported from England. There is quite a" big "export business from' England to the Argentine in purebred bull.s, and breeders in South America’ thinks nothing of ‘pacing 1000 guineas for • gtich bulls. In fact, they ■will pay almost any price for quality producing sires. It naturally follows that such methods must, be attended with tho, very best results. / • “Then, again, the Argentine climate is more even than ours all the year round, and this enabl** growers to keep, up supplies. Personally, I don’t think we in New Zealand will ever regain our former position in the beef, market. It must be borne in mind that New Zealand 4s not a cattle country from the point of view of. beefraising/ We are straight-out dairy farmers, and you cannot • get beef out of dairy herds. You eaiinot have both,."and we must, ' therefore, retain, our reputation as the greatest; dairying country in the world—bar none. Being: breeders' 'of. dairy cattle it naturally' ‘ follows' that our . animals in the are not suitable for the beef trade, ' -Prices for station cattle recently have been so low that thbre has been no ; encouragement for farmers to bother with beef animals. '

“The: .position to-day . is"Vthat is does nofc pay farmers to ' go/in fdf d)eef except to the extent of- supplying the local markets in the D^nyn!oiV. : ' ! " ’“X: am. of; opinion that if is only a ' question ■■time;’when our beef export triide will practically disappear. There is no life in the beef markets at Honie as far'as we are concerned, and I ; uriderstahd that direct shipments from the Argentine to Italy and‘other parts of the- Continent are steadily increasing, and, (thereis little. : prospect of, any increase in- prices of New Zealand: beef,” , ; - •

Our informant proceeded to discuss the, meat market.' generally, ; and he struck: a- most note. as regards ; New Zealand’s fat lamb and mutton exports.] “Beef, Is a back number- with us, and .we must look for our salvation to fat lambs,” he said. “In that department we stand preeminent,- and l our ' quality is of the best.-..■■-./While, we have had an exceptionally good season', lambing lias not been too good. Prices have not yet been fixed/ and it must be noted that these - vary as the season advances, the ' market of necessity being subject to/ schedule, the way they weigh out and grade, and the farmers are paid on that basis. Of. course, if ,': they want to' obtain a straight-oiit price they can have it; r

“While/ the. Argentine is in the market against ns -with fat lambs, we bave ‘ little to fear, frota that' 'Competition .■/ We have/established.-h’n. enviable reputation at Home for offr Jambs/and Australia, even; cannot surpass' us in qbality ' - ■ ■■' •■ ■> -

“At the present time second quality lamb is fetching' in' proportion better prices at Home •• than the 'first quality article. The - reason for this 1 is, ’’ I think, to be found in the industrial distress which prevails in Britain, w hich, means, of course, that the bulk of the people can only afford to pav for second quality. ' “Our frozen mutton is well established at Home,' and so long as we maintain' our present standards of quality outside competition is not likely to seriously affect us.” .In view of' the serious position of the New' Zealand beef export trade, and the rapid strides which are being made by the Argentine in this respect fche following report of : price conditions for the Argentine article, and which appears in Meat and Wool, is of particular interest: “The' exceptionally heavy slaughtering ’of all classes of cattle by the'freezing companies has "been ' bailed with ' muchsatisfaction, and" considerable stocks of some classes of meat and canned goods have' been accumulated, says the Review of the River Plate. This' will enable the different firms to supply their customers in the event of a stoppage of slaughtering here owing to. the enforcement of the minimum price law. The future of the live stock industry is gravely threatened with the proposed fixing of minimum prices for the different grades of export trade. The assessors convened to fix the mininuim prices to be paid for export/beef in compliance with law 11,227 met recently when several of the. representatives expressed, their opinions, s generally in favour of the law, arid dubiously regarding the best methods fof its enforcement. The freezing companies were hot represented and it was decided to adjourn the meeting for ’a, future date. Since then the representatives of. the different freezing companies have addressed a lengthly communication to the interim Minister of’ Agriculture pointing out that the'unconstitutional law was impossible tb comply, with, especially to the classification of the different grades of beef; It also drew attention to the fact that there was no clause in the law that provides tor specified prices ’ for the different classifications as established by the assessors’ board. Reference is also classification of the beef " Inch is done in the works in accordance with the state of the market or demand of the different consuming markets. An example is given" that an order may be fulfilled with light, plain beef, which might be sent chilled, while much superior quality carcases or quarters might be sent frozen in compliance with the state of the market where such beef ivas to be sold. Attention is also drawn to the three classifications of beef of which chilled and frozen are sent to England, the price of which was fixed at 27 cents and 24 cents"per kilo/live weight. The Continental grade, which is shipped frozen to the different consuming markets of Europe "was fixed at 19 cents pet kilo- live ’ weight. It is doubtful whether this price was placed to make English consumers pay a higher price or 'oblige Continental Consumers to accept plainer quality . The statistics just, issued, by trie Ministry of Agricultxife show the enormous increase' in the 'export of meat "during 1 the first four months of this year compared with the same

period last year. These figures prove that shipments to the United ' Kingdom have ’diminished 27.96 r per cent., while shipments to the Continent have increased 536.68 per '/cent. The price paid here for Continental lias risen from 15 cents perkilo' live weight, which was the , average I price paid during the first four months of last/year/ to 23. cents'per kilo ‘ livb weight which has been the Average' price paid for this class of beePduring che first four months of this year;' A minimum price' of 19 cents per’ kilo live weight was fixed on' this grade 'of beef, that is to-day worth 23 cents in the open market without any legal interference. The foregoing" conclusively proves the absurdity of. 'interference with the export beef trade if this country.” LOW/TEST IN MILK. An English paper tells of a case at Grantham, Yorkshire, where/a/well- ■ known .'farmer was proceeded against for supplying milk to a retailer which, on analysis, was found to be deficient in milk fat. The defence did notquestion the accuracy of the analyst’s certificate/ but relied ,on their proving, that the riiilk was delivered just at it ’eahte from the cows, arid the theory wais advanced that' during the long period that elapsed between the afternoon/and morning milkings, the cows reabsbrbed a certain ’ amount of : niilk fat. 5 The' public analyst for Grantham was the principal witness for the prosecution'’ and /he admitted that if the . period between tl?e two daily milkings/ Was unduly prolonged there was'a certaifi' amount of reabsorption of fat, an'd the milk was poorer than it should be 5 .He/ thought that tte period between p in. and. 6.30 a.m. was too long, aiid a certain amount of fat would be reabsorbed. After defendant had proved that' the milk had not’been tampered with afte’f : _t had left the cows, ' the magistrate flismissed the case. Commenting' off this decision, .Professor Dean states that there is general agreement ainoffg tho’se who have" investigated this ’q'uest fcion. that this actually takes place and accounts for the fact that where there i s much difference in the length of time between milkings, the shorter period milk in nearly every case tests higher V than the milk broduced during ;’“6 longer period.'Where bhe difteTente “/ more than, an'hour 'or two,‘ the iifference in the percentages of fat in the two milkings would hot be‘ very great, hut when several hours’ diffefance is the rule' /it would be quite safe L o assume that milk produced iiiidbr vuch conditions would -test very lovv'in &t. Professor Dean thinks the" magistrates in the- ease mentioned :abted wisely in dismissing the chse/ ' •