SHEEP, COWS AND THE HARVEST

Shannon News, 13 March 1928, Page 4

SHEEP, COWS AND THE HARVEST

Agricultural Items

Barren Band

According- toulie latest statistical report of the Department of Agriculture, there are 2,267,214 acres of barren and unproductive lands in the Dominion out of a total area of 66,309,262 acres. Barren land is defined as that which is incapable of being put to profitable use, not .merely that which is unproductive because unused. Types of this land are mountain tops, cliff faces, shingle beds etc. Harvesting ini Southland. A trip around the country district of Southland shows that harvesting operations are in full swing. Threshing of ryegrass is continuing steadily, and many of the oat crops are already in the stack, the bulk having been cut. The crops in most cases seem to be of good quality, and it is probable that most of the oats will be saved and will pass A grade_ . sk Sheep Farming, Sheep farmers arc also doing well as a result of the higher prices obtained for wool and lambs. The season has been a good one 'for sheep ? and generally a fair amount of feed has been available. Topdressing of pastures appears to be receiving attention earlier than usual. Some farmers propose to commence this month, and a large number will apply the fertilisers next month. In past years most of the top-dressing has been done between May and the end of August, but farmers apparently find that they get better results by doing this work earlier. A number of fanners are contemplating autumn sowing, especially on their stuhblS. ground, and as the season is favourable it is probable that this will be done extensively. Checking- Tests. An officer of the Dairy Division (Mr G. R. B. Boswell), has been recently appointed to systematically undertake the checking of milk and cream tests among the dairy factories, and to assist in the work of coordinating cream-grading. Cheek testing can be carried out for some days after the expiry of each testing period, and will probably be applied primarily to dairy companies evidencing seasonal yields which are considered to be too high, Despite publicity respecting yields, some are undoubtedly higher than should be the case. The Instructors in buttennaking have been giving much attention to keeping the cream-grading standards uniform as between the various factories. Part of the new officer's time will be utilised to assist in this work. It is very satisfactory to note that 'the great majority of factories have co-operated splendidly in regard to cream-grading. Every possible attention has been given by instructors to complaints respecting inaccurate grading. Some of these com’plaints have beeu justified, but the majority were probably founded only on rumour, and were of no consequence. Noxious Weeds Orders. The Mangonui County Council has declared winged thistle to be a noxious weed within that county. Gorse has been similarly declared in Kairanga County.

Helping the Farmers,

A farmer who recently has been over some of the lands in the Wliangamomona district speaks very highly of the experimental work done there in the matter of pastures by. the Government expert, Mr Bruce Levy. As a result farmers know now how best, to treat the land and what grasses to grow, Previously they were wasting their money aud land on putting in unsuitable seed such as cocksfoot; > now they arc getting “takes” and doing better than they did. The sturdy settlers in this district have had much to put up with in recent years, but this season has been a favourable one both in point of production and' prices, and consequently they will get ahead of it. The fly in the ointment is the rapid increase of the ring fern that seeds and spreads quickly, and which on the steeper faces is almost impossible to deal with.

Pigs at New Plymouth,

Mr J. A. Russell, of Palmerston North, who returned from NeAV Plymouth on Thursday, where he was judging at the A. and P. Show, reports that there was a wonderful, exhibition of pigs—a display which showed Palmerston North points.

Export of Veal,

The South Island Dairy Association

has received advice from London that the final shipment of veal and offals sent from Southland by the Port Hardy sold at a higher price than was realised for the first shipment. It is pleasing to note that the second shipment of this export commanded such a favourable market, and is a sure indication that the quality from Southland was well received in London. As in the case of all the Dominion’s exportable produce, this is an instance that will go to show that the quality is the main factor in determining the return, and. if the veal export business is to be continued, it 1 behoves the farmers to send only the best quality. The final bonus to suppliers should work out at a satisfactory figure, but it is 'impossible to make an adjustment until the .account sales come to hand from London. Humour in Backblocks. The Irish “bull" is not unknown in New Zealand. A Parapara settler in reminiscent mood was telling of his early experiences and struggles,, records the Wanganui “Herald." “Yes," he said, ‘when I came here first my neighbour had a clearing on which the grass and clover were up higher than the fence. Ho got finance from a stock firm and put on a hundred young cattle, but the rich food made them scour badly, and they were dying in each other’s arms all | over the place.” }

N. Z. Butter Leads the World.

When he was in the Old Country last year, stated Mr R. W. Hawke (Christchurch) at the' poultrymen’s dinner on Friday night, he ivas told over and over again that there was nothing like'New Zealand butter on the market. While Danish butter was slightly ahead in price on account of the little time it was in transit, consumers in London and throughout the country generally conceded that the New Zealand product was the best. That was undoubtedly the result of the fine work done by Mr Singleton (the Government dairy expert). (