Farming Column

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1933, Page 8

Farming Column

FARMERS’ NEWS AND NOTES.

Deterioration in the quality of our cheese is causing some anxiety in the minds of dairy farmers in Southland and Taranaki—two of the largest cheeseproducing districts in the Dominion. The Southland executive has. asked the Dominion executive to make full inquiries into the matter, and draw up a full report. Various sources have been tapped for information, and the consensus of opinion, so far, appears to put the blame on to dirty milk supplied at some factories, too, much moisture in the cheese, a noticeab-e discolouration in some districts, and a general failure to ripen the cheese properly. ** * * If the British Cabinet finally decides to impose the reduction jn the quota, about 9,700) tons less will he sent iroin New Zealand this year. T.iis will inflict hardship on some dairy factories and producers, unless the scheme advocated by Mr Sinclair is brought into operation. Moreover, many dairy companies now making butter, will switch over to cheese, and the result will be a reduction of our cheese quota as .well. At the moment of writing, the horizon looks decidedly black for our dairy farmers. It, is expected that Parliament will adjourn shortly. In the reqess a Commission will probably take evidence regarding an adjustment of the present customs duties, and the Farmers’ Union intends to proffer evidence. The fiscal policy advocated by the Union at present is:—(al That, .there should be au immediate substantial reduction ol duties on necessities imported from Empire countries willing to reciprocate, with the definite view of inaugurating Empire Free Trade, (b) That with a I view to extending our markets, a re"cluction of duties on necessities be also extended to foreign countries willing to reciprocate with the Dominion. It is felt that such a downward sealing of tariffs is in keeping with the policy enunciated at Ottawa.

The'reduction, of Australia’s • butter quota will be much greater than that of New Zealand, owing to the phenomenal increase in the exportable quantity this year. It i,e estimated that the reduction in the imports of Australian butter will be in the vicinity of 20,009 tons, but this will not be felt so keenly by the Australian dairy farmers owing to the Paterson bonus scheme for locally consumed butter being in operation. Australian dairy authorities predict an increase of nearly 30,000 tons this year whereas the increase in N.Z. production will centre around 7.000 tons. ** * * The farming interests, of the country have no objection to secondary industries; m fact, they welcome them because they desire a well-balanced economic life. They do feel, however, that it is bad policy to establish in the Doidinion industries that have ho chance,of standing up to fair competjtloin with the protection of distance, and a moderate tariff. Farmers look askance at all forms of industrial protection and stand for a revenue rather than a protective tariff, but they recognise that existing protection cannot be easily or suddenly withdrawn. They feel too, that in the past, protection has been granted in a haphazard manner, without a proper survey of the position, and ‘that some industries have been brought into, a precarious existence *at considerable expense to the consumer. That oui high cost of living is in great measure attributable to tariff protection is a fact beyond dispute.

At the last Dominion Conference, the following resolution was carried:— “That there should be an automatic reduction on all tariffs on British goods proportionate to tlie exchange rate ruling for the time being.” Owing to the British manufacturer, who is the best consumer of our primary produce, being hard hit over the, increase in exchange, tlie above will form an important item in the Union’s evidence before the Commission.

By making relief labour available to farmers, and in the case of unoccupied Crown lands, to State Departments, the Unemployment Board has assisted materially in the destruction oi noxious weeds. In particular in recent months the Board lias endeavoured- to induce farmers to undertake an extensive campaign in the eradication oi ragwort. Relief labour for the destruction of noxious weeds may be obtained by farmers under either Schemes 4A or 4D or Scheme 5 for work on private properties. ** * * In return for the rail concessions recently made by the Railway Department, it is hoped that the fanning community will loyally support the railways in their transport jobs. For the six months ended 30th April, 1932, the total yardings of -sheep at jive, stock sales and sheep fail’s were 2,7/2,133. Out of this huge number 1,223,748 wore conveyed by rail either to the sales or from them. After allowing for a large number that travelled on foot, it is apparent that quite a large number must have travelled by transport other than the railways.

THE ACE OF CATTLE.

METHOD OF CALCULATION.

To tell an animal’s,age from, the horns, it may he. said that it is usual td count all of the horn beyond the first grpoye or ring as representing three years of age; then add. one year to, file age fox’ each ring present to wards the base .of the. horn. The rings are best. noted, on the concave side oi. the horn, says the Dublin Farmers’ Gazette.

The growth of the horn is as follows: Twq small, hard, rounded buttons or points emerge from the skill when the. calf is eight or ten days old. At three weeks a flexible horn has appeared. At five or six months the horn commences to curve and assumes the shape, it will eventually have. Up to tins time and during, the first year the horn is covered with, an epidermic prolongation ol the skin, similar.to that seen on a foal’s hoof a* birth. This covering dries and scales, off by the. 12th or 15th- month, and the horn has then its permanent, natural:, shining, tough surface. In the second year the horns start x fresh growth, and a small grovo is seen encircling ,it between the substance' secreted in the first year, and that developed in the second. A second ring appears during the third year. These two grooves or • furrows around the horn are not well marked, and all traces of them disappear as the animal becomes older; From L hreo years on the growth of the horn • s marked by a groove that is much leeper and so distinct that it shows i. plain elevation or ring of horny subdance whch forms an accurate basis fur estimating the age of the animal. Tfie teeth should also.be taken into account when estimating ail animal s

LOWER PRICES TELL THEIR TALE

There is a growing movement throughout Australia to avoid the multiplicity of brands that is at present a definite handicap in the marketing of Australian butter in Great Britain, says the Live Stock Bulletin. Countries like Denmark and New Zealand have established a national brand, winch indicates a certain standardised gi-ade, and the factory mark is subordinated. Until Australia similarly standardises her output, and adopts one brand which carries the same guarantee of quality, producers will not get the returns'possible when attention is given to this very important factor. The best Australian butter is admitted to equal any produced in the world, but it is tlie average, standard upon 'which values are based,, and a comparison of t,h e London prices of Australia, and New Zealand butter tells its own tale.

CATTLE BY AIR. The first cattle to be carried by aeroplane have been taken from Lae (New Guinea) to Wau, in the interior, without mishap. Mr Arthur Thomson, of Bulolo (New Guinea) -jome time ago imported a dairy herd from the Glendalough (Q) stud, with the intention of supplying the goldfields workers with fresh milk. After, landing at Salamoa, the cattle were started on the road, driven by 20 native boys, with provisions fr six weeks. There xvere long detours through the trackless mountain ranges. All the beasts died before the journey was completed. Mr Thomson landed the second importation at Lae, the headquarters of „he Guinea Airways, where the herd was transported in a tri-motored plane over the lofty mountains _ with the greatest ease. The beasts were delivered at their inland destination within forty minutes, a remarkable saving of time in comparison with the estimated six weeks by track. The freight was at the rate of 6d per lb.

WOOD ASHES AS FERTILISER. The value of wood ashes as a fertilising material is not as widely known, as it deserves to be. In newlycleared country this valuable substance is produced in large quantities, and it will he found more than to repay the trouble of returning it to the land. It is a matter of common observation that after a hush fire the vegetation is particularly strong and luxuriant, and the effect is due largely to the lime, potash, and phosphoric acid thus returned to the soil. The household wood fires also furnish a small but constant supply of ashes, which should be all kept and made use of. They may be utilised, either by themselves or mixed with other manures, or added to the compost heap—a valuable adjunct to the economy of the farm.