KING COUNTRY FARMING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 484, 13 October 1928, Page 29

KING COUNTRY FARMING

INCREASED PRODUCTION (From Our Own Correspondent) Returns to hand from the various dairy companies operating in the Central King Country disclose that a marked increase in output from the butter factories has occurred during the present season. For the month of September the Kaitieke Dairy Company, Ltd., manufactured 51,980 pounds, this representing an increase of 12,2321 b. over the same month of last year. In view of the cold, wet month just experienced, the increase must be regarded as very satisfactory. The returns from the Ohura Valley Company, Ltd., are also satisfactory, and the shareholders and suppliers have received good prices for their butter-fat all through. This concern is as yet only a small one, but is rapidly extending its operations, and gaining solid support. The favour with which land is regarded in the Matiere district was demonstrated at a sale recently held there by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Taranaki, when a number of lots were offered and all found ready buyers at prices considerably above the upset value. An aspect of farming that is being

investigated by many farmers in the King Country is the provision of good shelter plantations for stock where natural shelter has been removed. The district is subject to sudden changes of temperature in the late winter and early spring, and this at a time when cows are coming into profit and lambs are in the tender age proves very trying to both sheep and cattle. The need has been emphasised this season for the provision of belts of quick-growing shelter trees that will give protection to the stock when it is most required. In the Taringamotu Valley area, north of Taumarunui, several of the settlers have been experimenting in the direction indicated, and have put in plantations of from one or two hundred to 1,000 trees, either pines or eucalyptus. The growth in the valley is remarkably rapid for this class of vegetation, and a belt of pines and firs planted out a few seasons ago by Mr. W. H. Wackrow is already attaining imposing dimensions, and presents a beautiful sight at the present time. The Kaitieke Herd-Testing Association presents the following returns for the month of September: Twentyseven herds tested, with a total of 347 cows the association averages were 347 cows, 8121 b milk, 34.021 b butterfat, 4.18 per cent, test; highest individual herd, 18 cows, 9511 b milk per cow, 45.621 b fat per cow, average test 4.79 per cent.; lowest individual herd, 8 cows, 6471 b milk per cow, 22.521 b fat per cow, average test 3.52 per cent; highest individual cow, 1,2601 b milk, 60.451 b fat, 4.8 test; lowest individual cow, 3301 b milk, 7.921 b fat, 2.4 test.