LIVE STOCK AND THE FARM

Southland Times, Issue 21097, 31 May 1930, Page 14

LIVE STOCK AND THE FARM

CUBBENT TOPICS.

MR VEALE’S REPORT.

The problem of maintaining—or rather, regaining—th? standard of quality desired for New Zealand cheese is one of the most serious questions facing the dairying industry of the Dominion at the present time. Serious complaints of faults in the product sent to the Home market have been frequent in recent years and it is apparent that if New Zealand is to retain the goodwill of the British consumers serious reforms must be carried into practise almost at once. Production is increasing rapidly in New' Zealand, and also in the countries of our competitors and this tends to a fall in prices. If the quantity of this important product dumped on the market continues to increase it is easy to realize that only the best quality will find a demand; poorer cheese will lie unwanted in the stores. Openness in cheese is the most serious fault encountered in the New Zealand product during the last few years and it has been urged by the experts abroad that every endeavour should be made to eliminate this trouble lest the high status of the product be adversely affected. The leaders of the industry in the Dominion have been greatly concerned and every endeavour has been made to ascertain thc cause of thc fault in order that a remedy might be formulated. An important report on this problem which has been prepared by Mr P. 0. Veale, research chemist to the Taranaki Federation of Co-operative Dairy Factories, and was first published last week, will be welcomed on all hands. Hitherto, much of the investigation has been along the lines of discovering some definite chemical cause of the trouble, but this report attributes much of the fault to the course at present being pursued by the cheesemaking industry and declares that reforms in the system, from the original responsibility of the farmer onwards, cotdd do much towards obviating openness. This is the second important report prepared by Mr Veale and although it is not always possible to agree with some of his conclusions on the controversial subject of the most suitable breed of dairy cattle for cheese-making, ho must be given credit for tackling the question in a downright and fearless manner. The same comment will hold good in thc present instance and it is safe to assume that Mr Veale will have a much larger following to his arguments on this important question despite the fact that he is not sparing in his criticism of the present methods. It must be admitted that the position is a serious one and action must be taken to avoid the prestige of New Zealand in the dairying industry being seriously affected. Mr Veale indicates his view in his opening paragraph.

Openness in New Zealand cheddar cheese is not a new defect, and thc writer will not endeavour to maintain that soihe new and highly abstruse condition calling for elaborate research has suddenly arisen to cause the fault. Ou the contrary, openness has always been with the cheesemaker. it is an extremely common trouble, and arises from a' large variety of known causes. Possibly also some unknown factors may be operating to-day, but there is far more likelihood that our cheese is suffering from the combined effects of a number of causes, all operating in the one direction. The gradual accumulation of these conditions has been so slow and insidious that no one has marked its progress, but gradually the combined effect has become unmistakeable. Most of these causes of openness are well known, and each in itself may be comparatively trifling, but the peculiar and distinctive lines along which the New Zealand cheesemaking industry has evolved have brought about a steadyaccumulation of effect such as could not occur in any other country. Hence has arisen our national problem.

As the most important cheese producing district next to Taranaki, Southland is vitally concerned with this question. Fortunately this province is not so seriously affected by the trouble as are the northern districts and Southland cheese is almost in a class above that of the other localities, but the industry cannot be reassured that all is well and here, as elsewhere, it is essential that great care .be exercised to ensure that our product is of the highest possible quality.' A perusal of Mr Veale’s- lengthy report—it occupies 20 columns of newsprint—shows that the scientist has by no means confined his observations to the scientific aspect of the question. On the contrary, the report is more in the nature of a treatise by a practical man. This appears to have been the secret of Mr Veale’s success at the Hawera Laboratory for, while his scientific knowledge stamps him as one of the foremost dairy scientists of the Dominion, he never neglects the practical point of view and is, therefore, able to assist the farmers in the application of the principles he enunciates.

Various phases of the modern cheesemaking system are referred to by Mr Veale as tending to cause openness, among them being machine milking and rapid manufacture. He states that hand-drawn milk had a better opportunity to ripen in the normal way than has the milk now drawn by machines. Hand-drawn milk at the evening milking would mature in the normal way by the rapid formation of lactic bacteria while in the case of machine-drawn milk, even in the cleanest of conditions, there is always present in the pipes bacteria, putrefactive in nature, which counteract the pure lactic bacteria and are deleterious to cheese-making. The report states: —

It is an impractical remedy to suggest a return to universal handmilking, but it is not impossible to insist upon the institution of universal and compulsory milk grading in order to ensure that all milk is reasonably free from deleterious bacteria. ' A ripening period with innoculation by appropriate starter cultures in the factory would then supply the necessary lactic bacteria and furnish the condition essential

to regular acid development and consequent closeness of texture. Mr Veale refers to the factors leading up to the adoption of the present system of cheesemaking. A shortage of men during the war period necessitated faster manufacture in order that all the milk supplied might be. handled within a reasonable time. It was then found that this system resulted in an increased yield due to a greater per-

ccniage of moisture being included in the cheese, and hence greater direct financial return. On this latter account, the system has been continued and the process of cheesemaking is hurried along with the result that the product goes to the press in an open state which no amount of pressing can overcome. The scientist declares that New Zealand cheesemakers possess thc knowledge and the ability to make quite a close bodied cheese, as is evidenced by the very superior lines they manufacture for show purposes, and continues:

It need hardly be said that if the whole of our .export cheese were up to the standa/d of that exhibited in New Zealand shows, there would be no complaint against it from our customers, and the industry as a whole would eventually be much better off. Unfortunately, thc cheese industry is in the grip of a system which would penalise, quite heavily, any factory which made an attempt to "break away from the established procedure and -export the equivalent of “show cheese” throughout the season. Thus, where immediate and heavy pecuniary loss is thc reward of a pioneering spirit, no factories can be found to lead the industry along lines which will ultimately be of benefit to all. More especially is this attitude confirmed by the realization that unless the great majority of thc industry followed suit so as to raise noticeably the average quality of New Zealand

cheese, the sacrifice would be in

vain. Mr Veale therefore urges that thc industry set about its own salvation by compulsory grading of milk and by the introduction of more enlightened methods in cheese manufacture. He also criticises the present system of grading cheese prior to export and expresses the hope that the new system of points for grading which will come into operation during the new season will be accompanied by a method which will allow for a wider margin of deductions for faults than is allowed at present. The scientist concludes with an appeal to the cheese industry to realize the seriousness of the position and to take action, not only for its own sake, but also for the national reputation, lest the continual loss of public estimation for our cheese be followed by an induced reaction against our butter, thus involving the whole of thc industry in a common disaster.

BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS.

THE ESSAY COMPETITION

THE WINNING ENTRIES. - It has been requested that the prizewinning essays in the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club competition at the Winter Show should be published. The winning entries are as follows:— First Prize: Olive Dunn (Edendalc). MY CALF. Of course I say my calf is the most important animal on the farm. Her name is Lucy, and she is a lovely Friesian specimen, and well marked black and white. She was born on October 2nd, 1929. From that date it was always interesting to see if my calf was doing as well as others. She was kept for a few weeks in our warm and well-sheltered orchard, and then put out in a clean paddock, with good clean grass, and good drinking water. Her feed consisted of new milk, but later on she got whey paste, crushed oats -and linseed. This proved to be good food, and also was fairly cheap, for the cost of it was £2 4s Bd.

I had to spend some time before Lucy was taught to lead, but in the end my patience was rewarded, for now I can catch her anywhere and lead her round. What great frolics there was in the calf paddock, when the calves kicked up their heels and scampered round. As judging day drew near 1 had to do a good deal of brushing and scrubbing down. It was quite exciting as we all lined up before the judges, and waited to get our marks, and I forgot all about my hard work when I heard that Lucy had scored a prize, and' later on found to my astonishment that Lucy had won the championship. She has had her photo taken a good number of times, and makes a good picture. This is more interesting than the potato growing, for when it is over there is still the calf to see and it will be interesting to watch her growth into a full-grown cow. I have learnt to love my calf and found that with kindness and care, there is a sure reward. .

Second Prize: Herbert Dunn (Edendale)

MY CALF.

The expression “my calf” makes one realize that at last he must be the owner of stock. My calf, called Winnie, was born on October 4 at Mr W. Y. Dickie’s farm at Mataura. When she was two weeks old

I got her for the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club Calf Rearing competition. She is a grade Friesian and her mother last season as a 2-year-old heifer gave 2661bs fat in 238 days, and this season is expected to do* over 400 lbs fat. Her sire is King Sylvia of Glenstuart, who holds the Waitaki Cup for best butter-fat backing for any breed, to be won for three years. She is a well-marked black and white and is a calf one can be proud of. From October 18 to November 25 she received new milk, increasing from 81bs per day at first to lOlbs per day. To keep down the cost of feeding I used whey paste, a local product, and this together with crushed oats seems to make a good food. From November 26 to December 31 she received 51bs new milk per day with l-jlbs whey paste. From January 1 to 29 the ration was Jib whey paste in the morning with no new milk. From December 23 to February 27 about lib of crushed oats was given at night and from January 6 to February 12 a small quality of crushed linseed was included also.

My calf spent her first few weeks in our well-sheltered and sunny orchard, then she was shifted out to a good paddock with good fresh grass and plenty of clean water. The treatment she received was exactly the same as the other calves except that she had a cover put on at nights and on rough days, and as judging day drew near there was a good amount of brushing done. Points were given for condition, dairy type and record chart, and although I didn’t get the highest marks, I was satisfied that I had done my best, and that I had managed to secure most .points for my chart.

In this competition one can learn many lessons. One lesson is that one gets to love a pet of this kind and another is that one might as well feed a .well bred animal as a poor one.

The demonstration given by the judge on the various points in a dairy type was something worth while and has just given me a real start in this line.

The competition is over for this year, but my interest has not abated and for the next few years I will watch with interest the developing of Winnie, z

First Prize: Olivo Dunn (Edendalc). MY PLOT. In the growing of a plot of potatoes many things have to be considered. First, there is the choice of ground for a plot; mine was picked out of the best part of a paddock on my father's farm. Then it needed deep cultivation, and. this was all done by ploughing, discing and harrowing. To grow a heavy crop, manure must be put on plentifully. I put on some first and then more when I planted the potatoes. The seed was not of the best, but all came, although a bit slow. The growth was then good, until a frost gave a set-back at Christmas time. The tops went off early, but there was a fair yield and the quality was good. The lessons to be learned are many. We learn that there are many things that may spoil the crop. An out-of-season frost is one, potato blight is another, and these go to show that in farming there are many obstacles to be overcome.

With good soil and conditions it is possible for any one to grow a fair crop if they are prepared to work it properly and do things at the right time’ of the year. Even weeds, neglected for some time, soon spoil the crop.

Then there is thc lesson that a crop must pay all of its expenses and show a profit for the owner.

I am pleased with the return from-my plot and reckon that it has been time and labour well spent.

THE AGRICULTURAL CLUB MOVEMENT.

First prize.—Greer S. Miller (Gore High School).

Southland was not the first province in New Zealand to' introduce the Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Club movement. Taranaki was the pioneer province and it was due to the great success of the movement there for over a decade that Southland, not to be behind in anything progressive, two years ago, readily accepted the movement as one which would benefit the healthy offspring of the successful farming class and the busy urban dweller. This year both Otago and Auckland have adopted the scheme as one which commends itself.

This year too, the Government, being well aware of the great value as a youth movement, resulting in Taranaki and Southland, has granted no less a z sum than £2OOO that financial difficulties may not hinder those who are devoting themselves to the ‘development of the movement. Certain trusts and private individuals have also contributed money or prizes to aid in providing sufficient inducement to the members. A very handsome Cup—the Stuart-Wilson Cup—has also been donated for Dominion-wide competition, and was last year won by a Southland member, Dudley Tayles of East Gore, whose remarkable return of 311 tons of Arran Chief per acre was deemed to yield the highest cash value per acre amongst club members. The activities of the movement are devoted to crop-growing and to calf-rearing. The members are divided into divisions* according to age—those under 12 are Juniors, those over 12 and under 16 are Intermediates and those over 16 are Seniors. The area of the plot varies according to division —the Juniors being one-seventieth of an acre and the Intermediates onefortieth of an acre.

For easier control, schools within a certain area are grouped. This year Southland is separated into 5 groups each of which has a local competition as well as a provincial competition. Thc whole province is controlled by an executive which represent the most progressive bodies in the Province. As well as this controlling body there is a qualified government official who organizes the movement. Each school that has Jinked up with the movement is controlled by the local teacher and a supervisor. These two assist in the judging of the various plots that are worked by pupils or ex-pupils of the school. Crop-Raising.

Such crops as are fairly easy to cultivate and which will serve some useful purpose in further developing the Dominion’s main industries have been grown. Taranaki has also grown swedes and carrots. The members of the club select their plot, one-fortieth of an acre for members over 12 and under 16, one-seventieth of an acre for members under 12. The member may receive outside assistance in the first tillage. After that she or he follows carefully the clear instructions issued by the organizer and it seldom happens.that a more successful crop than Dad can raise is not tlx? result. The crop out-put becomes the possession of the member who eagerly strives to get the highest market value for his goods. Not only docs the member learn very much concerning actual cultivation and crop raising, but he also develops a business ability. Furthermore, in keeping a careful record of his doings and results he is aiding himself in becoming a systematical recorder of details, “a valuable form of education.” Calf-Raising.

This competition which has been in operation for a number of years in Taranaki, was introduced this year into Southland. Two’ groups were formed, one for large breeds, one for small. , This was not to accentuate the battle 4>f the breeds but simply to aid the member in securing a dependable calf from one or other type of herd. , • ■ The calf must be a female one with a purebred sire.

The member receives full instruction and strives by systematic feeding, cleanliness and constant kindly care to raise the best developed calf by a certain date. In this work also a chart is provided on which the member develops his book-keep-ing and recording ability. To assist in bringing club members into closer touch with one. another, to educate the general public as well as to give the members a final opportunity of contesting in the outcome of their labours, at the end of the season show competitions are held where awards are made for the best charts, the best samples of the crop and the best essay on some phase of the work. The above gives some slight idea of what is meant bv the term The Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club movement. ‘ It has great possibilities as an educational means. It has scope for great expension and has an economic value that may be fairly gauged when it is realized that the 167 club members in Southland last year raised potatoes valued at £420. That the club movement may soon have Dominion success, of which it is worthy, is the hope of every member and of all who are eager to see the boys and girls of New Zealand develop into useful members of society. .

Second Prize: Herbert Dunn (Edendale) THE CLUB MOVEMENT.

The cry of the politician to-day is, back to the landl and more production of primary products. With a view of trying to do something to create a love for agriculture in the hearts of the boys and girls of our land, a few enthusiasts thought of what has now become “The Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club Movement.!’ I believe the!Taranaki district was the first to go in for this and the results were so good that the movement has extended to many parts of our Dominion.

There is, no doubt that many a boy, with only a small chance of gaining any experience, has had the great possibilities of agriculture brought home to him by just the growing of his small plot of potatoes or mangels in his father’s backyard. To some extent the plot is of the nature of an experiment. With the mangel plots

this year in Southland this is very true as plots are being grown in districts where before no trial had been made to grow them, and in some cases the successful results have been an eye-opener to the farmers themselves. To make sure that the boy on first class land has not an unfair advantage over his mate on second or third class land, the judging of the competition's not just for weight of crop per plot. Points are given for general appearance, a proper lay out of t)ie plot, cultivation, including keeping clear of weeds, weight of crop and last but not least, thc keeping of the record chart, which perhaps is one of the most important parts, for many farmers even to-day just fail on points like this, and keep no record to look back upon for information about past experiments.

The use of fertilizers is an education of itself, and herein lies one of the great secrets in successful growing of crops. Today wo have our Department of Agriculture with their many experimental plots to find out the most suitable fertilizers for different crops in different districts and just, here out club movement is giving to the boys and girls interested some view of this great problem and that the economical use of the right fertilizer is a great factor in farming.

To my mind a great step forward has been made this year in Southland by the introducing of the Calf Club into the Agricultural Club movement.

While it is a pleasure to grow a good crop it is a much greater pleasure to be the proud owner of a well bred calf. After the digging of a crop it is really the end of the competition, but after the final judging of the calf one has the great satisfaction of having the calf left and the prospect of watching its growth■ and later on its producing qualities as a cow. In this competition one is taught that a calf must be well fed to lay the foundation of a strong constitution which is necessary in a high producing animal. The cost of feeding needs to be kept 'as reasonable as possible and yet to do justice to the calf, and this- is an important point in the competition. The judging is done on points. First of all thc calves are judged for condition, and then for dairy type. Perhaps in the future it might be advisable to give some consideration to the butterfat backing behind the calf. Then again points are allowed for the record chart and the highest total from all these goes to make the • championship. Some people are inclined to think there is no value in the record chart, but in my experience there has been two inquiries about the feeding of the calves and the value of the details in the chart was clearly demonstrated to be worth while. “

Thc demonstration given by the judge about the various points was of great value and- is one of the features that will be of greatest value in the future to any boy. From this talk I learnt many points about what to look for in a good dairy type of animal, and it has just given me a good start in this direction. In spite of any mistakes made, I think the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club movement has really been worthwhile, and it will always be with pleasure that I will be able to look back on the time when 1 was a member of the club, and had a fair measure of success in it. I wish the movement every success in the future.

THE CLUB MOVEMENT.

Third prize: J. Adrian Miller (Gore High School).

Though the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club movement is only in its second year as far as Southland is concerned, the movement in Taranaki has been in operation for a number of years, while in North America it is now far past the experimental stage. For many years the United States and Canada have had well-organized Clubs and have not only become wide-spread but most efficient.

It is not to be surprised at that the Dominion of New Zealand—-a land in the forefront as regards both Agriculture and Education, should readily introduce this progressive movement among its young people. ■ Our present organizer, Mr J. E. Davies, when introducing this movement into Southland, gave the following as some of the advantages that might be expected if our boys and girls were encouraged to link up with the movement: (1) They would be given a healthy and interesting employment for their leisure hours. (2) They would gain by practical experience a firsthand knowledge of some, very definite phase ,of Nature. (3) They would gradually develop into a social body that would be all to the good of each individual member. (4) They would develop such a liking for some form of Agricultural work that the present tendency to seek the crowded city would be checked and a charm at present

unknown would be possessed by rural life. Mr Davies must have been gratified to notice the great increase, in interest shown during the second year compared with the first, because this year has a membership of four hundred compared with one hundred and sixty-seven last year. The economic side cannot be overlooked. It was estimated that Southland Club members, last year, produced four hundred and twenty pounds sterling worth of potatoes—surely a wonderful result for a first attempt. To assist the arranging, schools are grouped into localities. At present ■•there are five of these groups in Southland, each centralizing for local competition, about fourteen or fifteen schools. The whole Movement in Southland is controlled by an executive made up of representatives from such bodies' as the Farmers’ Union, The A. and P. Society, .the Chamber of Commerce, the Education Board, and the Teachers’ Institute. The Agricultural Depanment provide the services of a trained Agriculturalist wha acts as Organizer and Instructor.

s Though in North America the movement has such a wide scope of activity as cropraising, poultry farming, seed producing, vegetable growing and fruit preserving, New Zealand has so far only attempted cropraising and calf-rearing. The crop-raising has up to the present been confined to potatoes, carrots, swede and mangold growing. The members are grouped according to age, Juniors up to 12, Intermediates up to 16, and Seniors over 16. The area of the Junior plot is ■ (in Southland) one-seventieth of an acre, while the Intermediate section is onefortieth of an acre.

The member may seek assistance in the first tillage—after that all the work must be carried out by the entrant. The Agricultural Department supplies seeds and sets, fertilizers and instructions as well as assisting in identifying weeds found on the plot. The Calf-rearing Group is assisted by instructions regarding the care and the feeding of the calf which must be born within a certain period and be from a purebred sire. In both the crop-raising and the talfrearing competitions specially prepared charts are supplied on which much valuable and interesting information has to be stated or illustrated by the member. This chart causes the members to be both observant and methodical —two important qualifications in education.

At the end of the season thc crop-grower receives the fruits of his labour, while the calf-rearer usually produces the pride of the herd. Both have opportunities of displaying their products in a Metropolitan Show

where not only are splendid prizes awarded but the thousands of visitors to the show are enlightened as to the value of the movement.

The Government of the Dominion is fully aware of the value of such a great Movement and this year voted the sum of £2OOO so that the scheme should in no way be handicapped by lack of funds. To supply the organizations with seeds, sets, fertilizer, charts and prizes is no inexpensive task but each district may receive a £ for £ subsidy on all locally raised money up to £4O Southland has been fortunate as the MacKinnon and the Peter Anderson Trusts and thc Education Board have given liberally, while not a few adults have readily assisted the funds by becoming Honorary Members at a nominal fej of 2/6. To. create a healthy rivalry between provinces the Stuart-Wilson Cup is awarded to the member gaining the highest monetary return from his or her plot. That Southland in its first year won this coveted trophy through the energy of Dudley Tayles of East Gore is a matter for great rejoicing amongst Southland members and has been an excellent stimulus to every member this year to give of his or her best. May the movement continue to flourish and increase in New Zealand, and may it fulfil all the hopes of those who to-day are interested in the healthy development of the boys and girls of the Dominion. ■