GOOD WINTER GROWTH

Hokitika Guardian, 21 August 1929, Page 5

GOOD WINTER GROWTH

STOCK AT HIGH VALUES

(Auckland paper.)

xhe Waikato and Thames Valley have never looked better for the time of the year. Heavy topdressing gives a good winter growth, which, with- plenty ol hay, is'keeping stock in good condition. Quite a lot of hay will be carried over to next winter. The growth of pasture has outpaced-the rearing of stock. Although stock statistics show an increase, more are needed to cope with the increased yield of pasture.

Stock may now only be purchased at excess values. Dairy heifers and cows are very dear, also store cattle. It is questionable if fattening will show much profit this season, owing to the high price of stores. Buyers are scouring the King Country and going as liar as Ohura to purchase stock. \ One noticeable ,thing now is the wholesale way farmers are rugging their cows in the winter. In some districts nearly every farmer has rugs on all his cows. It will not he long until the farmer who allows his milking stock to perish in the cold weather will be a man of the past.

Cows are coming in apace and the How. of milk to the factories is rapidly increasing in volume. Fanners are finding it more profitable to' have the cows coming to profit in Julv, instead of in September under the old system. This ensures a longer season and is better for the cows than having them come in during the flush of feed. It also gets the calves out of the way earlier.'

Lorry loads of calves may now be seen on their way to the works. It is considered that more calves than usual will be reared this season. Lorry loads of early fattened pigs are also finding their wav to the market.

Farmers in some districts are still showing a tendency to sell their hhrds and go in for sheep. Topdressing lias increased the sheep-carrying capacity to such an extent that in some cases the net profit is equal to dairying. xo show what topdressing will do one farmer purchased 150 acres of poor hungry tea-tree country nine years ago. all hilly land. Without ploughing lie harrowed it well and put abiut £ worth of manure on per acre the first year. The seed was then sown. Since then he has been putting up to 7cwt of super and slag per acre. He is now carrying 1250 ewes, 35 heifers, and 5 horses. Although the cost has been enormous, this farm is now paying 7 per cent on a value df £63 per acre. Nine years ago it was only carrying 20 half-starved cows. Topdressing is also being carried on extensively on steep HU country. One mail packed out 150 tons last year and spread it all bv hand. The increased returns made it a very profitable proposition.