On the Land

New Zealand Tablet, 3 August 1911, Page 1494

On the Land

During no time of the year is a variety of feed so j important as spring. It is true that grass is nature’s ,r own food, but it is too great a contrast from the dry feed fed during the winter. The percentage of fat in the ■cow’s milk is determined by two thingsfirst, the breed, and second, the individuality. : The milk flow may be stimulated by feed, but the fat content cannot be affected under normal conditions. ■ B There were small entries of stock at Addington last week. As a result of the short supplies of fat stock there was a sharp rise in prices. Fat lambs and shefep advanced several shillings per head, and there was little change in fat cattle, except that cows sold rather better. Pigs met with an irregular sale. The yarding of fat lambs was almost entirely made up of one line, only a few other small lots being penned. There was a good demand, and a considerable rise in 7 prices, which ranged from 13s 7d to 19s Id. The entry of fat sheep was also a very small one, and consequently prices advanced several shillings per head. The compe*tition of butchers to fill their requirements was natur* ally keen, and accounted for such a marked rise in prices. The range, of prices was: Prime wethers, 21s to 275; extra, to 38s; others, 15s 3d to 20s; prime ewes, 18s to 255; extra, to 335, The yarding of fat cattle totalled 177, or little more than half an average entry. There was little change in prices, cows, however, selling at improved rates. Prime beef made from 27s 6d to 325; extra, to 355; medium, 25s to 275; and cow and inferior, 23s 6d to 24s 6d per 1001 b. There ' was a short entry of pigs, and the market for fats opened at the previous week’s rates, but fell away to the extent of id per lb. Choppers made 50s to 80s; heavy baconers, 50s to 60s; and lighter, 40s to 47s 6d (equal to 4|d to 4 id per lb). X A prominent farmer of the Doyleston district, informed a press representative that he had come to the conclusion it was almost hopeless to try to tackle the grass-grub. He had never heard of any practicable remedy or preventive, and he was fairly certain that the grub while in the ground was safe from attack, chiefly on account of its wonderful vitality. Low temperatures and wet had little or no effect, and from the trials made by Mr. M. Murphy with quicklime on the A. and P. Association’s ground, it would appear that that material was of little or no value. Prices at the Burnside market last week were higher than has been the case for some considerable time past. There was a falling-off in the yardings of both sheep and cattle, and it was due to this fact that prices showed such a decided upward tendency (reports the Otago Daily Times). A total of 2700 sheep were yarded, but owing to the presence of a large number of sheep of indifferent quality, the demands of the trade for prime animals were barely met. At the opening of the sale wethers were about Is per head dearer than was the case the previous week, and as the sale progressed firmed to the extent of Is 6d per head. Ewes V opened at Is 6d per head above the previous week’s rates, and in some instances there was an advance of from 3s to 3s 6d per head. The prices realised were high nil round, ewes making up to 30s 6d per head heavy wethers, up to 31s 6d, 38s, and 40s 3d per head; good quality wethers, from 24s to 26s per head; and ordinary wethers, from 2Qs to 225. About 2050 lambs were yarded, and prices were on a par with those ruling the previous week. There was a reduced yarding of 135 head of cattle, and competition was exceedingly keen. There was a general advance in prices of 15s and over per head. As indicating the high prices ruling • it may be mentioned that some of the lines changed hands at .£l4 12s 6d, £l4 17s 6d, £ls ss, £l6 5s £l6 17s 6d, £l7, and £l7 2s 6d per head. ' .