On the Land

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 27

On the Land

The Farmer’s Ideal

RUAKURA STATE FARM

Value to the Dominion

SCIENTISTS, statesmen, journalists—in fact, all important ox erseas visitors who come to these shores, are recommended to visit the Ruakura State Experimental Farm. The I'arm has been visited by men whose names are world-famous. All leave impressed, many concurring with the view that it is one of Ihe world's model farms. New Zealanders, on the other hand, generally speaking, know little of the splendid work that is being carried on there.

fpHE homestead buildings are situ- **■ ated on a slight eminence near the centre of the property. The vistor approaches up a drive bordered by young New Zealand trees in varying stages of growth—trees that have been planted by men who have helped to make history. All distinguished visitors were expected to plant a tree along that drive at the time it was being laid down, and to-day, names such as L»ord Northcliffe, Lord Jellicoe, and unpronouncible ones ,of world-lamed German scientists, etc., are to be found painted on tablets at the foot of sturdy shrubs and trees. All these men were Impressed with the work at Ruakura. Since their time toany improvements have been executed, and the tarm to-day is a practical example ot what every worthwhile farmer in the country visualises as his ideal. Ruakura is impressed on the mind of the visitor at first sight. Trees are everywhere, and the stock have abundant shelter. The trees mostly run along the fence lines so as to use up as little of the space which would otherwise be used as feed as possible. The paddocks are small, averaging somewhere about 15 acres throughout the whole block of approximately 960 acres. Even smaller paddocks are aimed at, and subdivisions are made from time to time when opportunity permits. A correct control of the pastures is thus assured, and the stock can be given a constant change of feed. In no part of New Zealand could pastures be found in better heart. Practically the whole of the block has been won over from a peat swamp, yet today it carries a thick sole of grass pasture kept in good heart by periodical top-dressings. There are only four breeds of dairy cattle carried on the property—Jerseys, Guernseys, Shorthorns and Ayrshires. It is considered that too many breeds would not allow ths specialisation on any and, at Ruakura, the chief aim is the improvement of type and production. The farm herds contain several cattle that would win high places in any show ring in the Dominion and several have broken breed butter-fat records.

Southdowns are the only pedigree sheep carried, but the young stock from the farm is well known and last year averaged over 11 guineas a head at the annual clearing sale. The farm also carries a breeding flock for lambs for the Home market. These are consigned to Smithfleld every year, and

compare favourably for quality with any shipped from these shores. The buildings are all models of what farm buildings should be; yet, there is no waste and everything Is planned with a view to showing a profit. In every way the farm is a model one and well worthy of a visit from New Zealand farmers whenever opportunity occurs. As a training school for hoys it has not an equal, and the pity is that more is not done to broadcast its value to the Dominion as an example of what can be done under scientific management.

1,003L8 OF FAT IN 365 DAYS Apparently the Ayrshire breed is not going to let Friesians and Jerseys have matters all their own way in the important work of making records in high dairy production. A Canadian representative of the popular Scottish breed in Nellie Osborn of Elm Shade Ist, bred and owned by W. C. Wylie, of Elm Shade farm, Howick, Quebec, has been breaking the breed’s record during the past year. According to American papers she has established two new world’s records for Ayrshires. By producing 27,1981 b milk, 1,2571 b fat in 378 days (from Ist August, 1927, to August 14, 1928) she passed the record of Garclough May Mischief, the Ayrshire world’s champion milk producer, by 186.9ib fat; and Betsy Wylie, the Ayrshire world’s champion butter-fat producer by 1541 b fat. Nellie Osborn has already a number of spectacular production records to her credit. Iu November, 1924, she finished a 365-day record of 22,5661 b milk, 9011 b fat. She was then six years old. As a seven-year-old she gave 22,22 Mb milk, 1,0031 b

fat, average test 4.32 per cent., in 365 days. This latter achievement put her in the position of being Canadian champion for both milk and butter-fat production, and broke all former Ayrshire world’s records for butter-fat. By virtue of that record she became the first I,ooolb Ayrshire butter-fat producer. When she freshened iu August, 1927, she was in such good condition and fit that it was decided to give her another try at showing what she could do. The result was the spectacular record quoted above.