SOUTHERN JOTTINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 26 March 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

SOUTHERN JOTTINGS

FROM VARIOUS CENTRES A PRODUCTIVE SEASON (Special to THE SUN.) PALMERSTON NORTH. Tho season, on the whole, has been a wonderfully productive one, and in almost all districts there have been satisfactory increases of butterfat compared with the previous season’s output. Some factories in Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu, and Wairarapa record up to ten per cent, increase on last season’s figures, and, though there has been a drop in other factories, the general production is considerably above that of last year. Grading figures prove this. Auckland Congratulated. It was the opinion of breeders, who exhibited at the recent Royal Show held at Auckland, that the general arrangements were very satisfactory, and that the conduct of the show reflected credit upon the committee. The Wellington branch of the New Zealand Friesian Association took that view of the management when eulogistically discussing the show at a meeting held on Saturday last, and the secretary was instructed to write, extending the association’s congratulations to the Auckland branch for its successful efforts. Profitable Working of Land The Dannevirke A. and P. Association executive had before it at a meeting last week a request from the Auckland A. and P. Asscciation for support in the effort to obtain an inquiry, with power to call evidence, into the conditions which are preventing the profitable working of the land in occupation and retarding the settlement and utilisation of the undeveloped land of New Zealand. Mr. E. A. Ransom, M.P., supported Auckland’s proposal, as helpful information would, he said, be gathered from the evidence secured. It was decided to refer Auckland’s proposal to the Farmers’ Union for consideration. Friesian Association's Grievance The Wellington branch of the New Zealand Friesian Association considers that it has a genuine grievance against the Royal Show Committee. It appears

that at the last Royal Show held at Auckland the association was sent a truck in which to send four head of cattle, and in this a breeder of a . different type of animal had placed a bull,, thus compelling the association to hire a separate truck to get its own fourth animal to the show. The outside breeder had paid £2 2s. for his share of the association’s truck, thus leaving the association £4 Us. to pay for the separate truck it had to hire. It was decided to approach the Royal Society for a refund of the £4 6s and ask that in future the association be allowed to make its own arrangements in regard to the shipping of its cattle to Royal Shows. Herd Testing in Taranaki The North Taranaki association has completed its herd-testing returns for the past month, under the group system. A summary of the herd averages gives the following results: — Group No. I.—Number of cows, 33; milk, 5071 b.; test, 5.1; fat, 25.63. Group No. 2.—Number of cows, 46; milk, 5391 b.; test, 4.8; fat, 25.71. Group No. 3. —Number of cows, 53; milk, 6131 b.; test, 4.7. The Jersey Cow Dr. D. L. Freeman, Instructor in Agriculture, gave a lecture at the Tomoana Show Grounds, Hawke’s Bay, last week, and the demonstration that accompanied the address was particularly interesting, as he discussed the proper method of selecting a cow and bull. He showed the various points that should be noted in both instances. Dr. Freeman pointed out that the Jersey had many admirers in the Dominion, and both graced the pastures and was queen of the dairy farm in Hawke’s Bay. A typical Jersey was a very beautiful as well as a profitable animal, and the reason for the breed’s popularity was therefore not difficult to understand. A high-class Jersey of either sex, stressed the lecturer, would always sell on sight and command a price that would remunerate the owner, as well as anything he could raise on the farm. This gave both the younp and experienced breeder a quiet confidence in the conduct of future operations in regard to the breeding of purebred stock. The demonstrator, when talking of bulls, said that in the cas - of all other points being equal. he

would prefer the animal that he. considered was possessed of the richest colour. Livestock in Hawke's Bay Inquiries in Hawke’s Bay go to show that there is a prospect of farmers suffering heavy losses among lowconditioned stock during July and August, but hoggets, even if in light condition, may do better than is generally anticipated, tl is considered that there will be an advance in prices on ewe hoggets and sound ewes suitable for breeding, but it is unlikely that there will be any increase in the price of wethers and old ewes. Lines of store lambs are expected to bring good money.