FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1921, Page 8

FARM AND DAIRY.

“I know of forty-one or forty-two bacon factories which have gone to the wall through disregarding shrinkage,” said Mr. Barron at the annual meeting of the Hamua Dairy Company. A notice posted up in one of the Southland cheese factories reads, “Dairymen! Feed Better, Breed Better, and Test your Herd.” Really good advice. Some idea of the value of dairy cows in Scotland may be gathered from the Scottish Farmer, which says:—Dairy cows were in demand at Perth. The best classes were selling up to £7O 10s. At the Central Mart, Aberdeen, on July 8, a calver cow made £B2.

The Herald states that a peculiar ailment has been affecting some of the dairy stock in the Pahiatua district this season. They have developed a “blowout” trouble; this being noticeable even after the stock have been off prolific green feed for some days. Tn one instance, where a valuable heifer was concerned, a timely drench pulled her through.

Sheep-owners in the Levin district have agreed to offer shearers the award rate of 26s per 100.

The question of shrinkage in pigs was referred to by Mr. Barron at Hamua on Monday night. He said that in no other product was there the same degree of shrinkage, and this not being taken into account had landed some firms in difficulties. From live to dead weight the Edendale factory allowed 33 1-3 per cent. For pigs delivered at the factory in Denmark, the shrinkage allowed was 27% per cent. In the United States there was a minimum of 25 per cent., depending on “weight and fill.” Not only was there this shrinkage, but from the dressed- pig to the breakfast table there was another 25 per cent.

Questioned as to the likely opening price for freezing lambs this season, a well known breeder of this district informed a Chronicle reporter that, after making allowances for the times, he thought that £1 per head was a pretty safe price, hut at the worst he did not think it would be below 18s.