KING COUNTRY FARMING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 928, 22 March 1930, Page 27

KING COUNTRY FARMING

INCREASE IN SHEEP STOCK CLUB SUCCESSES From Our Own Correspondent TAUMARUNUI, Friday. The remarkably successful sales of sheep held throughout the King Country this season has prompted an investigation of the position in regard to this class of stock, and it is very interesting to note that the total of the flocks owned is increasing at a rapid pace. With the greater numbers also goes an advance in quality, evidenced by the keen demand for King Country sheep by outside buyers. Very considerable quantities go to the Waikato, and to the Upper Rangitikei districts, and this season particularly large numbers have been sent to the freezers. Several reasons are i>ut forward for the great increase in the sheep population, one being of course, that the land is particularly suited for this class of stock, and every year new areas are coming under cultivation. The present season has been abnormal in the way of feed production, due to the favourable climatic conditions and to the increasingly widespread use of fertilisers. As a result, numerous graziers have found themselves with more herbage than they could deal with, the only solution of the position being to increase the flocks. Despite the recent fall in wool, the prices for sheep of all classes have been maintained at a good level. Generally speaking the farmers are facing the future with a worthy degree of confidence.

Dairying, too, lias had a profitable season, and the production is far in advance of any previous year. Herd testing, the use of proper top-dressing, better treatment of cows, and the importation of blood sires, are all j factors in making the King Country dairy products equal to the best on the market. As showing the marked increase in output, it may be mentioned that on a day recently the Kaitieke Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., at its Piriaka factory, turned out 150 boxes of butter, 42 more than on the same day last year. All this firm’s product has been graded “first” and “finest,” and finds a ready market. The Ohura Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs have concluded another successful year with their lamb and calf rearing competitions. Very little separated the best animals, and the awards were made as follow: Calves, light breeds. Pear, j Dougherty (Turoto), 1; Joe Adams j (Waitewhena), 2, and Jack Adams | (Waitewhena) 2, equal: Ernie Adams (Waitewhena), 3. Heavy Breeds: j Mavis Ryan (Turoto), 1; Leslie Cribb j (Otangawai), 2; Mauria Kelly (Niho Niho), 3. Lamb Raising. Frank Ryan (Turoto), 1; Tom Ryan (Turoto), 2; Mavis Ryan (Turoto), 3. Calf Rearing (dairy types).—Light: Pearl Dougherty (Turoto), 1; Ernie Adams (Waitewhena), 2; Joe Adams | (Waitewhena). 3. Heavy: Mauria j Kelly (Niho Niho), 1; George Binns (Matiere), 2; Reuben Carter ] (Matiere), 3. Mauria Kelly won the Kelly Cup for her entry for best Fresian Calf. The Kaitieke Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., has been most successful with its side line, the pig farm. Last year the profit was £2OO, and this year it is expected to reach over £4OO. The farm is a model of its kind, and this year the company has gone in forbreeding with the object of supplying its suppliers with pigs of first-class quality.