OUT AND ABOUT

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 13

OUT AND ABOUT

THE WEEK IN OTAGO. Fine seasonal weather continues, and, throughout Otago, climatic conditions are favourable for stock, while the growth of roots generally, has been satisfactory. BURNSIDE MARKET. , The supplies of fat stock at the Burnside Metropolitan Market on Wednesday were somewhat large on account of this fixture being a “ double ” market. All classes of sheep met with a better selling trade, while lambs met with substantial competition, but fat cattle were not much sought after, unless prime average weights be excepted, and these showed little appreciation of any of the previous week’s rates. The entry of fat cattle totalled 385, compared with 167 the previous week, the quality ranging from fair average to good, with here and there a few extra heavy prime bullocks and heifers, together with a number of plain sorts. The demand was weak from the commencement of the sale, and fell away to practically nil by the time the last race of cattle was offered for sale. A fair number of cattle were turned out unsold. Values may be marked down from the opening 10s per head with the beforementioned easing tendency, beef of average weight making to 26s per 1001 b, with heavy prime bullocks and cows well under this figure. Some 4000 fat sheep met with a good all-round if at times irregular, demand. J.he quality was fairly representative, and included a few pennings of show sheep which made 37s to 39s 6d a head. Bight wethers and ewes were selling at an advance of Is per head, with heavy ewes making around the previous week’s rates. Butcher’s wethers made up to 3d per lb. The fat lambs yarded comprised very fair to good quality, some few pennings being extra heavy. There was a good all-round demand from butchers and export buyers, while graziers secured anything unfinished. Lamb sold up to 6d and around s:(d per lb, being about 9d better than a week ago. The store cattle, some 250, comprised a mixed assortment, a third of the entry being young cattle and vealers of fair to good quality, together with about 70 two and three-year-old steers of mixed colours, the balance cows. The demand was but moderately fair for the pick of the steers at prices ranging from £6 to £8 7s 6d,_ vealers making to 50a, but only occasionally. The supply of fat pigs, 79 (118 last sale), met with good competition, and porkers were firm at up to 7d per lb, while baconers were a little firmer, making up to and around 5Jd per lb. A small entry of store pigs, 51 (42 last eale), met with a good demand, and slips made 34s to 41s, while weane'rs moved off readily at 17s to 20e per head.

COUNTRY STOCK SALES. BALCLUTHA. The weekly sale was quite a good one, showing a distinct advance in fat sheep, of which there was a full yarding. The yarding of store sheep was a comparatively small one. Export lines have advanced since the last sale to the extent of Jd per lb for wethers, 3d for ewes, and Jd for lamb, hence the better prices noted. Fat lambs made 14s to 16s; fat ewes, 6s. 9s 9d to 10s; fat wethers, 12s to 17s. Store wethers sold at from 8s to Ils 6d, ewes (mixed ages) to 9s, ewe lambs to 12s, fair-conditioned lambs from 8s to 10s lOd, small lambs 3s to ss, failingmouthed ewes 4s 8d to 6s. Fat steers brought £5 7s 6d to £6 10s; fat cows, £2 15s to £5 ss; two-and-a-half-year-old steers, £5 10s; store cows £1 to £1 15s; dairy cows (newly calved). £lO ss. A small yarding of store pigs met witli high prices. Suckers realised 23s to 23s 6d; store pigs, 435. From henceforward the sales will be held fortnightly in place of weekly. THE CHEESE MARKET. After a quiet period, the local cheese market has shown some slight animation during the past few days, and offers have again been available for f.o.b. sales. A few small lots have been sold at 5Jd and s |d has been offered. Although this is about a penny below the offers that were available in March, it is an indication that merchants have more confidence in the market than they have shown for some time, and the value is actually slightly above present-day prices on the London market. Recent quotations for cheese showed a rise of 2s for the week, white being quoted from 50s to 51e, and coloured 53s to 545. Plus exchange, 50s per cwt will give a return of 4.65 d f.o.b. and 555, 5.22 d f.o.b. Dairy producers will await with considerable interest the returns for several ; trial shipments of matured cheese sent forward this season. So far, a little more than 300 crates of matured cheese have been shipped Home, and the first consicnments have probably arrived on the London market. There are etill in store awaiting shipment 250 crates, and a fair quantity in the process of maturing remain at the factories. In view of the great interest displayed in the question of maturing of late, and the success which followed similar experiments last year, producers throughout the province will be much interested in the returns, which will be made available as early as possible. DAIRYING IN AUSTRALIA. Throughout Australia dairying conditions are among the best ever experienced for this time of the year, and export supplies are being well maintained. Shipments to May 2 totalled 64,489 tons. Victoria having sent 23,686 tons. New South Wales 12,258, Queensland, 25,836, South Australia 1026, and Tasmania 1683. The exports for the previous year over the same period were 45,345 tons. The Minister for Markets (Mr Moloney) states that Australian butter is now finding its way to such territories as Sudan, Belgium, Congo, Mexico, Portuguese East Africa, Bermuda, and Peru, as well as the many scattered islands throughout the Pacific.

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Statistics have been prepared by the New _ Zealand Meat Producers’ Board showing the quantity of frozen meat shipped from New Zealand since the commencement of the season on October 1, 1930, to May 15 of the present year. During the period in question 83,698 quarters of beef were exported, this figure representing a decrease of 13,305 quarters when compared with the beef shipments for the corresponding period of the 192930 season. Shipments of carcasses of mutton, however, have increased, 1.530.942 carcasses being exported during the 193031 period, as against 1,281,007 for 1929-30. There has also been an increase in the number of carcasses of lamb sent abroad, 4,665,830 carcasses being shipped during the period just ended, as coriipared with 4,096,079 for the preceding one. So far as pork is concerned the shipments of 89,410 carcasses for the 1930-31 season represents an increase of 11,745 carcasses. In reporting on a recent experimental shipment of frozen pork sent forward to London for judging and display from one of the local A. and P. shows, the London manager of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board laid stress on an aspect of the Dominion pork export trade which has already been emphasised by the board, and is well known to most of those connected with the industry. He says:— “ You will notice in the judges’ report that they point out —as I have so often done before—that there is really no trade for pigs between 100-1201 b, as that range of weight is much too heavy for a porker and not heavy enough for a baconer. Generally speaking, the ordinary run of porker pigs from New Zealand has been very satisfactory from the point of view of shape and finish, but there is still too large a proportion of pigs arriving over 1001 b in weight."

CLEARING SALE. A clearing sale of live and dead stock was held on the farm of Mr James Rae, Kauroo Hill, on Thursday, a good clearance being effected under the hammer. The following is the range of prices for live stock:—Two-tooth ewes, 12s 6d, 13s: four-tooth ewes, 14s 4d; six-tooth ewes, 10s 10d; full-mouthed ewes, 9s 3d; aged ewes, 4s 6d; wethers, 12s 4d; mixed-sex hoggets, 6s 6d; ewe hoggets. Us lOd; store heifers, £3 10s; store steers, £3 15s; cows and calves. £3; calves, 17s 6d; dairy cows, £4 10s, £6 ss, £6 15s, £7. A two-year-old draught filly sold for £3O 10s; four-year-old mares at £2l. £27, £29 10s; and hacks for £6 10s and £7. The implements and sundries sold at current rates. THE SEASON IN AUSTRALIA. Beneficial rains continue to fall at intervals over practically the whole of .the wheat belt of eastern and south Australia, says the Pastoral Review. Following on the ample falls of previous months, these have put land into excellent condition for ploughing and the preparation of the seed bed. That it should be so is fortunate, as the area of long fallow available for sowing this season is much less than usual owing to the extra large cropping of 1930. The fact that many farmers have been forced to cut down labour costs also means less preliminary cultivation.

The March and April rainfall over the agricultural areas of Western Australia was much lighter than in the eastern States, but some heavy storms were recorded early in May, and conditions there are now favourable for seedin'*. It is difficult to speak with'’certainty the area that is being sown with wheat this year, though the Commonwealth statistician has expressed the opinion that it will be about 134 million acres. In 1930 over. 18 million acres were reserved for the grain harvest, compared with 14,900,000 in 1929. The big increase in 1930 was, of course, due to the “grow more wheat ” campaign of the Federal and some of the State Governments. Their promise of price guarantees and appeals of patriotism misled farmers into producing large quantities of grain at a loss, and it is evident that few will make the same mistake this year. Seasonal conditions in the Gulf country and north-west of Queensland range from indifferent to only fair, large areas having received no substantial rain for some time. Much the same applies to the Charters Towers and Peak Downs districts. Elsewhere in Queensland they are fair- to good, the sheep country as a whole being best off as regards feed. The qualifying adjective fair applies more particularly to the cattle districts adjacent to the east coast. Grass and feed there is shorter, and contains less body than is usual at this-time of the year, which does not augur too well for the winter. The pastoral areas of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia are enjoying an exceptionally flush period, recent rains having brought on an abundance of feed. There are a few dry districts, but the areas are relatively small, and with so much rain about there is every chance of them receiving relief before the weather becomes too cold.

The agricultural districts of Western Australia have recently recorded general rains, and these appear to be extendin'* into the northern pastoral areas, some of which have been very dry. Fat sheep and lamb values are steady at the low level established a couple of months back. Good trade description crossbred wethers have been selling lately at up to 13s 6d, ewes at round 10s 6d, and lambs at about 13s in the Melbourne Yards. Sydney quotations are on much the same basis. With the wool sales in Sydney during the week ending May 9, the auctions of the 1936-31 season may be said to have closed, though, of course, there will be the series in Brisbane before July I. and the usual winter auctions in all selling centres. A satisfactory feature of the whole season, maintained to the end. was the general good clearances made daily in all centres, which went far to estabish confidence, while also stimulating competition.. Quite a craze for knitting has set in of late, and wherever one goes, in tram or train, women and girls are seen busily plying their needles. It does not necessarily mean that so much more wool is being used, as probably the need to economise has something to do with it, it being possible for a girl to practically clothe her” self with her own work in this direction, but anyhow it is all to the good.

Further, the widening of the Tange of colours and fancy descriptions of yarn

undoubtedly appeals to the feminine taste, and consequently stimulates the demand. As an indication of such, one large emporium has stated it has been found necessary to treble its sales staff in that department, from 40 to over 120. It has been quite a godsend for a wellknown large establishment in— Launceston, which is doing a thriving trade in knitting wools, although not alone in that regard. Prices paid should show a big profit, as the best wools used would not have cost mote than 30d per lb clean scoured, and on the average one would say considerably less. However, it is a good development, due largely to the low prices reached for the staple, which have helped to reestablish its many intrinsic virtues that of late years had been somewhat outweighed by its cost. There are many purposes for which wool at existing world values is very suitable, and avenues for its use are being explored in many directions which in the past have not been associated with such. There is nd doubt but that the low values ruling for the past nine months have had much to do with its general rehabilitation. This is probably more noticeable in the underwear for both sexes, in which merino wool is now being more largely used than for many years, and its virtues are universally appreciated. Retail prices, however, and more particularly locally, are still largely out of proportion to the prices obtained by the grower, and it is difficult to reconcile such. One sees an almost continuous increase in the great emporiums, where, even although able to purchase direct from the manufacturer (thus eliminating the oldtime warehouseman), the overhead charges must be so high as to substitute merely one set of charges for another, to say nothing of the reams of advertising matter heaped on a credulous public.

NEW FREEZING PROCESS. Experiments are to be conducted at the Kaiti Freezing Works under a plan evolved by Dr W. A. Bowie in regard to the freezing of export carcasses (states’ an exchange). Their condition will be reported upon on arrival in England. This point wag mentioned recently at a meeting of the Poverty Bay Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, when the secretary (Mr C. Blackburn) said that apart from a study of medicine. Dr Bowie had been deeply interested in matters relating to stock, and had displayed a keen interest in killings at the freezing works. He had aroused the interest of Mr F. Tolerton. manager of the Gisborne Refrigerating Company, in a process he had evolved. It had been agreed to kill 1000 sheep, added Mr Blackburn, and send them to England under a process indicated by Dr Bowie, who maintained that the carcasses must be cooled down for a longer period than at present adopted before being placed in the freezing chambers. He thought the members of the executive should meet Dr Bowie at the freezing works and have the process explained to them. If the carcasses arrived in England in better condition it would make a big difference in the prices received.

JOTTINGS. No fewer than 2762 South African and Rhodesian_ cattle have been landed at Birkenhead since 1924. Rhodesia expects to send from 1000 to 1500 a head a year in the future. Some extra good vealers from Ida Valley station met with a demand, not commensurate with their quality, owing to the very large entry of this class of cattle being offered at the Burnside Metropolitan Market on Wednesday. When does a heifer become a cow? In reply to this question by the Royal Welsh Show, the Welsh Black Cattle Society decided to reply that a heifer remained a heifer until she had her second calf. Age seemingly- no consideration. Although lamb prices appreciated during last month, the rates for wethers and ewes have been dragging most provokingly. Some slight firming in light ewes and wethers for export was welcomed last week, but heavy sheep, although carrying well-woolled fleeces, have not yet firmed, The dairy Shorthorn cow Dumplinr* in the herd of Mr John Day, Stone House, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England, that recently set up a new milking record for her breed by yielding 30,1421 b of milk in 365 days, after calving on February 24. 1930, calved again recently and produced twin bulls. This was her 13th calving, but her first pair of twins. Craigie Ambition is Mr James Kilpatrick’s stud horse at Craigie Mains, Kilmarnock. He had a wonderful career as a youngster, and as an aged horse swept the boards at the 1929 Stallion Show. This handsome sire did not breed very well during 1928 and 1929, but last season he left over 70 per cent, of his mares in foal. According to returns compiled by the Wellington Woolbrokers’ Association, the average price for the five Wellington sales during the 1930-31 season was less than 6d per 1b—5.895d to be exact. The average price per bale was £8 Us Id, and the gross proceeds amounted to £805,069 17s Gd. The. Taieri Agricultural Society has decided to hold the annual show on Saturday, November 21. Two special trophies have been promised—one by* Mr S. Coon for most points in fat stock, and the other "by Mr W. Hastie for most points in jumping events. The season for export lambs promises to be unusually late, and there is talk of the Balclutha freezer running till August. Many lambs failed to do well on rape, but are now coming away well on turnips, and this will prove a big factor' in extending the killing season. “As far as I can see, the farmer is not only being murdered, he is being crucified,” said the president of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association at a meeting of wheatgrowers at Rangiora. “ The country ought to try to get along without him for a few years, and then they would probably do something to' resurrect him.”

During the six months ending February 28 Russian grain amounting to 1,500,000 tons was placed on the British market. These supplies were equal to one-third of the home supply of wheat, 40 per cent, of

the home supply of barley, and one-half the home supply of oats. Russia has now ousted Canada as England’s largest wheat supplier.

With the exception of an odd clearing sale in Otago, there is very little speculative or other business in stock being transacted. Good dairy cows (spring calvcrs) met with very fair competition, while draught horses are to-day “ the goods.’’ With an improved fat lamb schedule, there is a better tone in the sheep market, but prices are still very low.

On April 1 the sale of practically the entire herd of Jersey cattle belonging to Mr W. Wilkins at Central Farm, Long Marston, Tring, Herts, England, was held. The event proved to be one of the most highly successful of the breed that has taken place during recent years, inasmuch as the average of £42 l s 7d for the 54 head is the highest recorded for the past five years. The top price was 125 guineas for a cow and 130 guineas for a bull.

At the double sale at Burnside some show . wethers and lambs were yarded, realising on account of the following vendors comparatively fair values. Wethers sold on account of Messrs John Young (Allanton) made to 39s 6d, Fleming Bros. (Crookston) 30s to 375, while extra heavy lambs sold on account of A. J. Gordon (Toiro) realised 23s to 24s 6d, and on account of Bruce Campbell (Momona) 245.

It was remarked at Elliott’s clearing sale at Lovell’s Flat on Thursday that the prices given for dairy cows (spring calvers) were unusually good, considering the price of butter-fat. The prices ranged up to £9, and in one case £l2, but the latter was for a winter calver. In the ease of the spring calvers it means keeping them for practically four months for nothing, as the saying goes among stockmen.

” The only thing to get the farmers out is to have a dance, where there are girls, and tlie men have to come to look after them/’ said Mr R. G. Bishop during a discussion of means of increasing interest in the Farmers’ Union at a recent meeting of the North Canterbury Executive. The president (Mr Colin M’lntosh) stated that their chief obstacle was the lack of knowledge among farmers of what the union had done and was doing for them. Fat cattle of special merit, on account of the relatively low rates ruling for beef at the present time, did not make high values at Burnside on W ednesdav. Some of the highest rates include Donald Macdonalds Edendale bullocks at £l5, while R. Yardley’s (Moa Flat) entry made to £l4 2s 6d. D. Bryce’s (Lovell's Flat) bullocks made to £l5 17s 6d. and W. Swale’s (Lime Hills) bullocks sold to £l3 10s per head, James Dow’s (Lee Creek. Outram) realising up to £l3 7s 6d. and John Kearney and Son’s (Ranfurly) to £l4 17s 6d

In reply to a question on the subject asked in the English House of Commons, Addison, Minister of Agriculture, said he understood that the Argentine Government had imposed a duty of 22 per cent, on live stock in general and a duty of 5 per cent, on pedigree live stock imported for breeding purposes. In view of this differentiation in favour of pedigree stock, which was the only trade in which England was interested, be had come to the conclusion that any action on his part was not justified. A consignment of Border Leicester sheep acquired recently for South Africa trom several Scottish breeders is said to be the finest lot of sheep that has passed through the quarantine station. Four rams and 50 ewe hoggets go to the order of Mr J. Ferrie Dixon, Rathmines, Natal, while six rams and 10 gimmers go to the order of Mr Charles Eustace, Moyene, Dargle, Natal. The consignment has been carefully selected, and is the largest lot shipped at once to South Africa.

At no time in the history of this Dominion has it been so necessary to obtain the maximum production from the dairying industry at the least possible cost. Herd testing has played a very important part, especially during the last few years. The percentage of cows under test in the Dominion to-day is about 20 per cent., as compared with over 33 1-3 per cent, under test in Denmark. The average production per cow (that is, all cows in milk and dry in this Dominion last season was 2181 b fat. The average of all cows in milk in Denmark at the end of the 1928-29 season was 2701 b, an increase of 521 b on the average of this Dominion. “Large-scale manufacturers of fertilisers like ourselves will always have to face periods during which demand does not keep our works fully occupied,” stated the chairman of directors, Sir Harry M'Gowan, at the annual meeting of Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, the big British producers of synthetic fertilisers. “ That is the price we have to pay for being ready to meet the demand when it does. come. Generally speaking, in the. chemical industries, it is more economical to have spare capacity than to carry excess stocks. The demand for nitrogen fertilisers will certainly continue to increase when world conditions become more normal again. During the phase through which we are passing we and the other producers of synthetic ammonia must exercise mutual forbearance.” The relative merits of wool and kapoc for filling mattresses were briefly discussed at a recent executive meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The question arose in the minutes of the last meeting of the Dominion Executive, which had sought to induce manufacturers to use wool instead of kapoc. Letters were quoted from Wellington manufacturers stating that kapoc was definitely the better material in comI fort, cleanliness, and wearing quality. On the suggestion of Mr J. D. Hall it was decided to ask the Health Department for information on the hygienic value of wool as compared with other bedding materials. In its statement to the London Wheat Conference, the Soviet declares “ there must be no lowering of the workers’ standards.” It might have added that, so far as Russia is concerned (says an exchange), there can be no lowering of standards because workers and peasants are already on the bare minimum of subsistence. Any reduction would mean starvation and death for multitudes. In

a dispassionate and impartial review ot current conditions in Russia, Dr Calvin' Hoover writes: “ The labourers’ standard or living in the Soviet Union remains extremely low. The standard of living ot the peasant is still lower. Indeed the standard of living of the industrial proletariat, who gained most from the October Revolution, is at the present time r ery little, .if any, better -than it was in pre-war times. The .standard of -living of the peasant is lower than it was before the Revolution, and that of the intelligentsia is, of couse, very much lower. A 116 means that, in spite of the fact that no share of the national income has to be paid any longer to landlord and capitalist, the average standard of living of the Russian people is lower than in pre-war times.”