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Vol. ver. t, r, No. r. 2

AUGUST,

1955

OFFICIAL JOURNAL ()F THE KEYLINE {RESEARCH) FOUNDATION Editorial Correspondence: Keyline publishint pry. Lld., Room 5, gth Floor, 117 pitt Street, Sydney (BW69i2). Advertising ln,luiries: J. T. O'Mara, Room 2,3rd Floor, 283 Etizabeth Street, Sydney (MA258g).

E,DITORIAL per acre, not return per head of livestock, is real the basis of costing for-the man on the land. I\ Self-evident? Perhaps. But in Australia, in the dairying, wool and meat industries, the usual basis of assessment is return per head or hundred, or hundred thousand head of stock: -an interesting survival of - when land was cheap and there was the spacious days plenty of it. Rather like a family in a city flat keeping tsp the style of living to which they were accustomed oi the old homestead, with no compensatory rise of income. To call tlrilgr by their right names is the beginning of wisdom. _{hat a grazier, or dairy farmer, really meani when he talks of a return of so many ds from a t6ousand sheep or a hundred cows is that, from a certain area of Iand on which his stock have grazed, he has had a certa.in return. The stock are merely mobile mowingmachines processing grass or crops or fodder into food and wool. Their numbers are not constant. They are, so to speak, employees. Lift fertility and the number of employees graziirrg animals can be

I)ETURN

NU,

increased.

A man puts, say, f30,000 into a hundred-acre farm, on which he can run 50 milking cows (plus dry stock) each returning him d100 a year. He increases the fertility of his land and runs B0 milking cows, each returning the same amount, on it. That is, his gross income rises from d5,000 a year to d8,000. The riie in net income will not be quite parallel, but it will be comparable. Two considerable items are labour and running costs, and these will be practically the same for B0 cows as for 50. Once the concept is grasped, the emphasis is shifted to the fertility of the soil, and stays there. [..lI't.I:tr:

Arrcrrsr.

1955

t Cost and time are the great disadvantages of fk',odstorage dams as a measure of control on the Flunter. Five or six such dams would be needed on the Hunter

and its tributaries to reduce a flood on the lower river to below danger level' Siting is another difficulty. From a practical viewpoint, the advantages of such installations for an individual farmer are too remote

to calculate. The Keyline Plan, by increasing the capacity of the soil to hold water, and by its related system of dams, is a practical method of mitigating floods in the Hunter River Valley, cheapiy and quickly. Mitigation of flooding, in the final analysis, is ali that any system, or combination of systems, can offer' There is always the possibility of the extraordinarY flood. Control of run-offis recommended by all authorities as a technique of flood-prevention, but chiefly as a subsidiary measure. Although, recently, in the U.S.A', more attention has been given to this aspect, par-

ticularly in head-lands of rivers. The

Keyline.

Below: The creeping fertility of Keyline is even seen on the this one, formerly white, is now o rich brown.

roads-

Above: Another eroded wotercourse being recloimed

difference

bet*'een the Keyline technique and earlier work lies in the greatly increased - and unsuspected storage-capacity of the soil' Flood rains in the }lunter Catchment are usually

caused by cyclonic disturbances moving in from the coast, The heaviest rain is on the coastal range and,

consequentiy, the greatest florl' is in the eastern tributiries, of which the main ones are the Paterson

lnterested visitors to "Nevo//on": Mr. J. l, Scorr, Generol Monager of the Hunter Yotley Co-operatiYe Doiry Co. Ltd., ond Mr' Ken' Hextott, of "Kongoroobie," Goulburn' ond "Wyoming," Hoy'

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and \Yilliams Rivers and Wollombi Brook, or the "Cockfighter." The Cockfighter - normally carries the grea"test flow and carries a load of sand (from the sandstone hills)

The February flood was an exception, in so far as was caused by a cyclone which moved down from the north-west. This caused the heaviest rain on the northern and western parts of the catchment, with comparatively light falls near the coast' Which demonstrates, as well as anything, what ,ouldhupprn If the cyclone had been over the middle of the caichment the flood would have been worse' The average rainfall over the whole catchment of 6,700 square-miles above Maitland was l0 inches' Ihe run-off averaged four inches' But this gave a total flow past M;itland of nearly l$ million-acre feet in five daYs. For the Keyline Plan to be effective as a measure of flood-control in the Hunter Valley, a considerable area would need to be Ke.vlined' But, for. purposes of comparison, the effective measurement is that on th. .r"u Keyiined. At Nevallan, North Richmond' 14 inches of iain fell (at the time of the flood) without t"tr-f'. This rain fell over the Saturday, Sunday' "rry

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday' On the Thursday inchet fell, and there was run-off' But "ight ""otft"t the water was clear. These figures are striking' An average. of 10 inches on the Huirter Valley Catchment caused a disastrous flood. Twelve inches at Nevallan didn't cause run-off'

Multiply the Keylined property to an approximate ur.n,'uia the indicatio," it" strong, at least' that

could have prevented the February floods' The whole subject, of course, is open to scientific investigation. Buithe case for Keyline as an effective *.rr.,i" of flood-control appears to be very strong'

ii"fim"

At Nevallan, there has been an estimated increase in moisture-storage capacity of 12in' since the land hu, b".r, Keytinid. This should take care of most downpours.

Another aspect is the flow of clear water, which' on a large scale, would have its influence on the course of rivers.

The Keyline Plan costs no more than normal cultivation'practices. And, at the same ^time, the individual frrme, is getting the benefit of enriched soil.

Two-year-old treeline near the entronce to "Nevollon"

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present,

is apparent when Sarina talks about

his

In a discussion of the effect on the dairying industry overseas of impressions of his recent trip overseas.

artificial-insemination, it was remarked that there had been a good deal of talk about artificial-insemination in Australia for quite a few years, but very little had been done. Sarina thought there was a parallel with fodder-conservation. Anthony Brunskill, of Wagga, is generally considered the pioneer of ensilage in Australia. But, as mentioned earlier, Zair was laying down pits of silage at Wellington (N.S.W.) some time before. There are periods of experimentation, followed

by periods of apparent inactivity; then,

suddenly,

a technique becomes popular. Sarina thinks the time is ripe for something like this to happen with artificial-

in Australia. left Australia in April, 1954, and visited Sarina 22 countries, marking and digesting matters of agricultural interest; intensive methods of farming in "right up to the roots of the trees Great Britain the increasing importance of and the fences" - the war; artificial-insemination agriculture there since

insemination

Sarina has much and herd-improvement schemes to say on all of them. On wheat, -he notes, "They sow three and a half bushels to the acre. We sow lrom 45 to 60 lb. Their top crops were around 65 bushels. We get up to 58."

: "Increasing very rapidly, per cent. of dairy cows in England are artificially -inseminated. There are a number of stations, the most Artificial-insemination B0

important one being at Reading, the Agricultural Society's centre."

"In

England the farmer gets a bonus of

per

head for every steer raised and, to a lesser degree, the system is applied to the raising of sheep and pigs. In England, nearly all dairy herds are T.B.-free. In Scotland they are all T.B.-free. One thing in they are particularly in Scotland Great Britain concentrating -on now. Every animal in a- herd must be officially lactation tested each year. Exemption is only granted for animal-illness, supported by a veterinary certifi cate." On one Ayrshire Stud the owner had two and three all tested. One corv's female generation of families - sire of the stud. lgth bull calf became the junior

On artificial-insemination in practice, Sarina gives an American example. The station has trvent,vodd very valuable bulls, mostly imported

from

England and the Jersey and Guernsey islands. Trvo scientists on the staff collect the semen and store it in refrigerated cabinets.

Each morning the trucks line up outside the

laboratories, the cabinets are loaded on the trucks, and the trucks tour the district "like a milk-run." A

coloured disc at the gate of a property indicates whether service is required or not. If required, the

farmer makes his selection from any of the blood lines operating at the centre. The field-officer takes a small phial orit of the cabinet and completes the Kr vr-tNr

A well-known R.A.S. trio: A. W. Skidmore, Colonel G. C. Somerville ond Horold N. Sorino.

operation on the spot and issues the necessary certificate. Then on to the next farm. As an indication of the r.alue of the scheme. combined with progenv-testing, Sarina mentions a brotvn Swiss bull n'hich, on appearance, would have been culled from any Australian herd. Yet he was the sire of magnificent females, with beautiful udders, rvide pinbones and remarkable length from hip to pinbone.

In America, too, progeny:testing is of increasing value lvith beef-cattle, the basis of computation being rveight-gain for age. Looking at Sarina's blockv, active figure and the

dark, rather hawklike face, one rvondered what other interests Sarina irad outside the world of stock and agriculture; or if he has had time for any. Sport? Sarina srniled. "I think I am rather rernarkable. I have tackled most sports and never succeeded

in any. I rvas a terrific crauk on football but never got beyond a certain star-rdard. I like all sports, tennis, golf, rugby union."

As a bantam-rveight, he did a bit ol amateur boxing. "Fought a fellorv at the stadium once who had fought mv uncle. Shorvs horv old he rvas and how old I rvas." At Dulrr'ich Hill he ran an exclusive sort of a private gyn., u'hich politicians used to visit for

the privilege of being trounced by the local

lads.

Simon Hickev. a lormer Speaker in the N.S.W. House. rvas the leader of the parliamentary boxers.

"It rvas a great social thing," Sarina added. "\\re did a good job. Kept kids off the streets." A host of sporting personalities - Dave Smith. jostled in conversation Les Darcy, Fritz Holland rvith outstanding men from-other walks of life. Sarina refers to the first three as "gentlemen of boxing." He has particularly kind memories, too, of W. F. Corbett. On one occasion Sarina was tempted to take up pro{bssional boxing as a career and asked Corbett's advice. Corbett said "No," emphatically. "FIe was really like a father to me," Sarina added. "And he gave me another piece of good advice -'never to get into press controversies." Continued on Page 32

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Aucusr,

1955

IMPRE.SSIONS Of NE,VALLAN By HAROLD SARINA

f A THEN I was asked to give my impressions of VVr Keyline - as I have"seen ii in practice on ' P. A. Yeomans's property, Nevallan, at North I must confuss that I was rather at a loss as to where to start. There are so many aspects of it and every one of them really requires much more description than the space available to me permits.

Richmond (N.S.W.)

Let me say this for a start about the overall impression: I have been associated with the N.S.W' i{oyai Agricultural Society's fie1d competitions for

over 30 years and I have travelled the length and the breadth of the State as many as seven and eight times a year inspecting properties. I have seen ali kinds of properties and all kinds of soil- and pasture-improvement schemes in operation. A lot of them have been impressive in many ways and yet there has always had to te a reservation about the time, the cost' the labour' or other factors inevitably involved. It was not until I sarv Keyline and all that it means -- the simplicity and economy with which its manifold that I really felt that here was objects are achieved - pasture-improvement which a system of soil- and

Autumn cultivotion

in the steep hills obove Keyline.

seemed to answer all the questions. That was the overall

I looked at the rich pastures on Nevallan, the dams, the trees and the variety of grasses' Yet, oddly, it is the individual things which linger in the mind- And there are so manv of these things that I impression as

hardly know where to start. At the beginning is the logicai p1ace, I suppose' I have known the district around Nevailan for more than 20 years. As I first sarv it years ago it was pretty hungry soi1, red-grave11y, r'vith a good deal of spindly grass,

To me, as

said,

has been the

little ihings

details, one after the other, that photograph themselves on the mind. One of the first things I noticed was the those stubbornly bare patches way in which "scalds"

under Keyline' The had disappeared of ground hand and stayed healing puJ.,.., crept o\-er them like a

there. Similarlr', the grasses crept around and right up

to the bases of the fees. Then there is the absorption capacity of the soil' Mr. Dillon has also anticipated me here, but I must repeat that it is amazing to see the amount of water

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Auousr:,

1955

that can run on to Nevallan and be absorbed. It is arnazing again to see, if there is any run-off, that the

water is clear. When

remember the properties

I have

with muddy water rushing into their dams, and the consequent problems and difficulties, what a revelation it is to see the water, clear as crystal, trickling into the Keyline damsl And so it is all over the property a succession of seen

remarkable and significant evidence, -some large, some

small,

of an

almost miraculous rejuvenation and

manufacture of soil-fertility : the varied luxuriance of the

from the ground; the ample sufficiency of mlred

that steers can be marketed straight off the property without concentrates . . . As one of the best illustrations of the effectiveness of Keyline farming, I remember a question I once asked Mr. Yeomans: "Why", I said, ,,didn,t lrou keep a strip of land on Nevallan in its original state for the purpose of demonstrating the land before and after grasses so

can do. As I remarked earlier, I have made seven and eight trips ayear allover N.S.W. for 30 years inspecting pastures and pasture-improvement schemes. And 1 have had those things in mind during mv travels in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. where I saw many

Keyline?"

impressive agricultural developments. yet I doo,t think that I have seen anything quite so spectacular as the improvement that can be effected to a property by Keyline. It is remarkable in its effect; it is remarkable in the time it takes; it is remarkable for its cheapness ; and it is remarkable foi its simplicity. And, perhaps, it is most remarkable in that ilo one has ever thought ofit before.

Mr. Yeomans laughed. "You'd have to go a mile awayi' he said. "Once you start Keylining, the fertility of the soil spreads around and be_vond the actoal area you are cultivating. Any sample strip of the

original state of the property rvould star.t to improve the moment you Keylined anl.u,here near it." And that is demonstrabl,v true at Nevallan

Clover growth following outumn cultivotion

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pasture has spread down and over eroded watercourses slowly covering the scars. It is indeed something of a miracle to see this spreading fertility healing and rebuilding the land. One would like to see it go on spreading beyond Nevallan, spreading and spreading . . For another illustration, consider the Keyline road on Nevallan.

Originaily, this road was as white, bare and infertile as a road can be, and under ordinary circumstances it would have remained that way. But as the Iand above it was Keylined the road underwent a remarkable transformation. First a yellowish tinge crept into it; then a deeper, more fertile colour : then darker and darker until, today, it is a rich dark brown. That road is a symboi and a prool of what Kel,line

pasture : the earthworms in their uncountable thousands; the rich and accelerated growth of trees; the extraordinary friability of the soil so that it falls away from the roots of plants and grasses as they are pullecl

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barren, stony gullies have gradually filled with rich loam as Keylining progressed in the vicinity; grasses have crept across rocky ground uncler the trees; and

Sub-clover, showing depth

of nodulotion.

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AucusT,

1955

TWO VIE,WS PAYME.NT By

F!. D. B. COX Leading Jersey authoritY.

treme, a number of Friesian cows have averaged

under 3 per cent. o\-er the 273 days period. Putting aside, horver-er, the many differences bervhich tend to ievel-out tween individual corvs substantial differin the milk of a herd or a- breed ences ma-y be detected in the total-solids-content of

the milk liom various herds, judging by differences in butter-fat tests. Increase in the proportion of total solids necessarily involves decrease in the non-nutrient vehicle, the water. For example. milk of 12 p* cent. total solids contains BB per cent. lr'ater; but where total-solids content is 15 per cent,, \vater is only 85 per cent. Differences in the composition of milk from herds and are of breed origin. Light breeds - Jerseys r ield milk of relatively high butter-fat Guernseys content; heavy breeds, such as the and total-solids Australian Illau-arra Shorthorn, Ayrshire and Friesian, are characteriseC bv mitk lower in butter-fat and total-solids. It is permissible , then, and convenient, to refer to high-solicts milk as the product of the light breeds and low-solids miik as descriptive of milk from the heavy breeds. But u'hat the milk of the heavy breeds lacks in qualitv is made up in quantity' Environment (climate, feed, husbandry and the like) and the age of cows affect milk yield markedly; but they have little influence on butter-fat test. So it is not surprising to find considerable divergence in published records of "average milk yield" of the breeds, while "average butter-fat tests" vary very Iittle. To illustrate this point, here are some statistics. The first table is the average butter-fat test of herd-book stock (various breeds) made under the herd production improvement scheme in N.S.W.; the selond consists of figures brought to light by the

T\AYMENT for whole milk in the Brisbane Milk t' listrict is by quantity -- a uniform rate per

gallon to the producer, regardless of the quality of the milk. But it is common knowledge that milk

varies considerably and significantly in essential food-components, that is, in "quality" in the sense in which it is here used. This basis of payment is unsound and illogical' It is unjust to producers of higher-quality milk, it tends to encourage production of minimum-quality milk and the consequent adoption in the supplying herds of the lower-testing cattle breeds and crosses it militates incidental to the foregoing and - improvement in qualitv of the -milk supply of against Brisbane.

To appreciate the

issues

the natuie of milk itself.

Mitk

is necessary to consider is essentially a complex

collectively spoken of of natural food substances dispersed in water' and dissolved as total solids milk in terms of evaluate to practice It is universal the percentage content (or "test") of the butter-fat portion of the total solids. A general quantitative relationship exists between the butter-fat and the non-fat portion of the total soiids; so that the butter-fat test of milk firrnishes an indirect estimate of the non-fat, and thus of the total solids. Differences of butter-fat test of normal milk of individual cows, more particularly of different breeds, are often considerable. For example, some Channel Isiand cows in Australia have been recorded with tests of 7.5 per cent. and over; at the other exKn vlrNn'

Continued on Page 14 t2

Aucus'r,

1955

on the BASIC

for MILK By

J. A. FERGUSON Chairman, N.S.W. Milk Board.

fiUALiTY is a composite, not a single, attribure \-, of milk. There are, for instance, nutritive \rr quality, cleanliness, keeping quality, pasteurisability and safety to mention five of the attributes which influence- the value of market milk. The quality of milk, so far as its chemical composition or nutritive value is concerned, depends more on the breed ofcattle than on any other known factor, while feeding practices rarrk second in importance.

As a general rule, breeds that give very

With an expansion of the area of liquid-milk production there has come, in transitional areas, a

large

gradual change from theJersey to the heavier breeds.

quantities of milk usuall,v give milk with a lorver percentage of solids than that contained in the average

It is true, as Mr. Cox points out, that payment to producers {br milk used for manufacturing purposes is based mainlv on the butter-fat test, while in some cases payments may be made on a total-solids basis. Since authorities on human nutrition have directed attention to the higher value and importance of the S.N.F. content of milk, much research has been done by workers in the major dairying countries, with the object of finding a more rapid and accurate test for total-solids content of liquid milk, which could be appiied at factories by relatively unskilled laboratory staff. The need for such a test is recognised by manu-

quantity of milk f ielded by other breeds. Friesian, A.LS. and Ayrshire corvs, for instance, mav give up to, say 40-601b. of milk containing a lorver percentage of total solids than the solids in the 30-401b. per day from Jerseys and Guernseys. A matter of selection : some breeds developed to produce cows yielding large quantities of medium quality milk using "quality," for our purpose, in

- sense its more restricted

and others to yield medium

quantities of milk rich -in fat and solids-not-fat. The dairying industry in Australia has been built up mainly on butter, which explains, to some degree, why the Jersey has been for many years, and still is, the predominant breed in this country. In addition to the high fat-content ofJersey milk, the adaptability of the breed to a wide range of climatic and other conditions has been a factor in its popularity both in Australia and New Zealand. In N.S.W. the iiquid-milk industry has expanded enormously over the last quarter of a century to meet the demands of a rapidly increasing population. Milk for Sydney came mainly from the County of Cumberland, the near South Coast and Tablelands in the earlier days. As a logical development, the most popular breeds in these districts have been the A.I.S., Ayrshire and Friesian.

Kavr"rNr,

facturing interests. Regarding the further statement that "a general quantitative relationship exists between the butter-fat and non-fat portion of the total solids; so that the butter-fat test of milk furnishes an indirect estimate of the non-fat, and thus of the total solids," various research workers in England and U.S.A. have shown

that milk yield, butter-fat and solids-not-fat were inherited separately : also that there was no significant correlation between milk yield and the percentage of solids-not-fat. Other workers have found a small positive correlation between the percentage ol butter-fat and the percentage of solids-not-fat. Provan, in England, in Continued on page 26 13

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F'LOCK TESTING and WOOL IMP By E. M. ROBERTS

'f N Mav. 1954. the Commonwealth Scientific and I trrarririul iesearch Organisation convened a -L

FLOCK TEST REPORT This typical report illustrates the variation in Production that still-Lxists in a top selection of rams chosen by Present

- conference to discuss a national plan for the extension of certain methods of Merino sheep selection' The recommendations of this conference were :

methods of classing.

From shearing,

Previously shorn, 4 / 6 / 1953

Rams born Spring, 1952

" That the use of fleece-measurement in selection would result in a substantial increase in the

1'9,t1954

"top"

selection from a flock of 200 rams: These are acceptable for conformation and constitution. Report on 18 rams, the

rate of flock-imProvement'

Such selection was practical in the Merino industry in Australia and was already in operation in some flocks. The implication of the use of the methods advocated was "that the rate of improvement of Nlerino sheep would be doubled," and in order to make these methods avaiiable to the industrv, the School of \{ool Technology has inaugurated a Flock Testing Service.

Ram

Greasy Fleete

Clean Fleece

No.

Weight

(lbs.)

(lbs.) 17"0 16.7

a5.2 23.9 20.5

25'9

27.7 22.9

18.8 20.0 14.7

24.1

't8.1

6 7

While the service is available to flock- and studmen alike, the most eflicient application to the industry as a whole rvill be through the incorporation of testing in the ram-selection of the leading parentstuds of the Merino {amily. Obviously, if variation in production, as is shown in the accompanying test-report, exists in other

9 10 '11

12 13 14

similar leading studs, then the stud master could very

'14.3

27'4

14.7 70.6 13.4 t 5.8 20.0 17.2

7'1.9

'16. 3

22-6 77.4 2',1.0

23'3 25.7

8.8

'13.6

16 17

34.4 30.6 22.3

22.5 20.9 16.2

't8

Yield

Quality No.

67.4

64 64 66 64 64 66 58 66 60 64 64 64 64

acter lColourlHandle Length

Max,7l Mu.7l Max.5

lns.

69.9 69.6 77-7

72.7 64.4 75.1 65 .1

75.3 63 .6 67.6

78.0 67.9

74.4 72.s 65.3 68.4

72.6

5'3 5.7 5.3 6.0 6.0 6.0

5.1

4 4

(

6.0 5.3 5.5 6.0

5'7

64 64 66 64

6.0 5.2 6.0

5 5

7 7

i s.s I st I s.a

well have this information available to him when making his final selection of "top" sires for breeding. In this way he can insure that his choice will conform not only to the requirements of wool quality,

conformation and constitution, but also to production. Flock testing is a new procedure aimed at improving Merino wool production. It is an aid to better classing and does not displace the existing methods of culling used by the sheep industry.

Since appearance is not always a good guide to production, the mistakes made in picking the best (and the worst) producers slow up the rate of improvement. It is easy for a classer to give undue attention

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The main purpose of the test is to improve accuracy selecting those sheep cutting the heaviest weights

of good quality wool.

Aucusr,

1955

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Left to right: (1) Testing officer morks on oreo of the fleece representotiye of the whole fleece for most lvlerino wool chorocteristics, (2) After morking in the catching pen the sheep is drogged on to the boord. (3) There ore two testing oficers for every eight sheorers. (4) Temporary eor-clips ore used where the sheep hos not been previously identifted with o permonent eor mork or horn brond.

(5)

to striking characteristics which may be of greater importance in breed type than in productivity, and

Temporory eor

clipi.

Below: (6) The number on the clip is written on o cord which is dropped beside the sheep. (7) The ,,geeco,' picksl up the tfleece ond cord,

is difficult also to maintain a constant standarcl of culling when an operator is subject to fatigue.

contrast, the Flock Test lays down certain stan-

dards and within a flock these can be accurately maintained. The standards are concerned with:

(l) The

constitutional ability of the sheep to survive, produce, and in the case ofewes and rams, to reproduce.

(2) The quantity of the wool produced. (3) The quality of the fleece(a) in terms of those features which affect commercial appraisal, such as quality_ number, character, colour and handle; (D) in terms of measurable characteristics such as fibre-tliameter, staple-length and

crimps per inch.

In practice, the amount of detailed recording varies with the importance of the sheep; top stud rims, for example, would be examined in greai detail, whereas flock ewes are subjected to the minimum test of. primary culling for constitutional delects followed by

fleece weighing and commercial appraisal. It is to be remembered that Fiock Testing does not replace normal classing.

Prior to the actual testing (by weighing, sampling and appraisal) the owner is expected to class the flocf of ewes or rams, discarding any sheep which are objectionable lor conformation or constiiutiorr. This primary culling should be kept ro a minimum, . since only then can sufficient seleciion be made on Kr:rr,rl+e

Aucusr,

1955

measured production. We suggest primary culling for such obvious faults asExcessive wrinkles, Faulty testicles or udder, Bad jaws,

Pigmented or hairy wools,

Off-type quality of wool-too strong or fine, very poor colour. Excessively black-tipped wools, etc., and the remaining sheep to be shorn as the test group. From the test grorrp it will be possible to pick the best wool producers, Determining quantity of wool is the first in a chain of steps to determine the merit ol each sheep, When the wool-buyer inspects wool displayed for purchase, one of his main aims is to estimate the yield or proportion of clean wool present in the greasy wool. Since he is willing to pay more for high-yielding wool, it is important that the sheep selected as heavy cutters will not produce wool which contains excessive amounts of grease and foreign matter. To determine yield, smali samples of wool are taken from each fleece (,.see Plate 11) and by washing this weighed sample in a soapy soiution it is possible to calculate the percentage of clean u'oo1 in the whole

!r!

fleece.

Assuring that the quantity of rryool is satisfactory is not, hou,ever, the only consideration of the service. Overali qualitl- of the fleece is assessed in a number of u'ays.

Firstly, appraisal is on the basis of Australian trade it is felt they must be part of quality

standards, since

evaluation until either(a) the manufacturer expresses his specifications for the wool he desires more scientifically, or (6) until the terms of quality used by the trade have been dissected more exactly. More simply, the grower must discern wool quality as the buyer until such time as the scientific terms. to more changes buyer

in the same way

Secondly, we can determine some aspects of wool

quality by measurement of fibre-diameter,

is ploced intoct on the weighing scoles. (9) Ihe oficer reods the weight of greosy wool ond records it on the cord. On the toble beside the scoles is o set of oir-tight tins

Above: (8) The fleece

reody

receive the mid-somples of

wool.

These somples ore token

bock to the loborotory for test scouring ond quolity opproisol. (10) Generol relotianship of sheoring board, skirting tobles ond scoles, etc,

Krvr-rNB

staple-

length and the number of crimps, etc. These measures must as yet be used as checks on commercial appraisal until we can use them to assess quality directly. The question may now be asked : If we choose the best cutters of clean, good quality wool, will they maintain most of this superiority during their own lifetime; and will they pass on to their lambs a simiiar capacity and to be the best wool producers? The answer is it is perhaps the most important fact of Flock Testing Yes, to both parts of this question. - Improvement can be effected in two ways: (1) Improvement in the current flock is achieved by selecting the best producers among the ewes. They are the capital stock and must be ofthe highest possible standard. It is not good 1b

Aucusr,1955

business to feed a. low producer when a high producer can be run instead. These best producers will also be above average in production in most of the remaining years of their

The improvement in average production as a result of Flock Testing : :0'4 + 2'4 : 2.8 : 1'4 lbs.

lives.

But only 40 per cent. of this is

(2) Improvement in future generations, which is genetic improvement, is achieved r-nainly by selecting the best producing rams. Although

offspring:

classing and Flock Testing the 0.14 lb. and the 0.56 lb. are spread over a generation, usually of five years. But Flock Testing still gives at least three times greater genetic rate of improvement, ui1., 0.li lb. of clean

(D) From the rams: Average cur per ram in unclassed

Continued on page

Below: (11) The fleece is picked up from the scoles ond thrown out

quolity of the fleece ond tokes the previously marked mid-side oreo for testing (scouring ond approisol). He notes ony quolity voriations on the cord. The skirters proceed with the skirting of the fleece, which is then rolled. (12) The closser exomines the rolled fleece ond ploces it in the oppropriote /ine (in bins behind him).

flock

Average cut per ram in

5.9 1b. clean rvool

6.1

0.2

10.2 lb. clean wool

classer 10.7

flock retained by

Therefore, the gain as

on the skirting toble. Here the flock-testing offcer exomines the

unclassed

retained by classer . . Therefore, the gain as a result of this classer

lb.

of the quality we desire. Note, that in both normal

40-50 per cent. as accurate in picking the hear.y cutters. To illustrate this, in a typical stud flock the following comparison of classing and flock testing showed that when 60 ewes were culled from a mob of 224 and, B rams were chosen from a flock of 205, progress by normal classing was, in pounds of clean wool : (a) From the ewes: ewe flock Average cut ofewes in flock

:0.5

Thus we have obtained at least three times the genetic improvement by Flock Testing that could have been obtained by normal classing. This improvement increases the capacity of our flock to produce offspring which r,vill cut increased weights of high-yielding wool

parent, the offspring will retain about 40 per cent. ofthe average superiority ofthe selected parents. This improvement comes mainly from the highly-selected rams, since so many ewes are required for flock replacements that often relatively few can be culled. The improvement in Flock Testing over previous methods of classing is that normal classing is about

on to the

IOU

each lamb gets half of its inheritance from each

Average cut

:1.4 x

passed

classer 0.5 ,, Now we know that nearly haif 40 per cent. of the total gain from classing is passed on to the offspring: result olthis

i.e., 0.2 1b. from the ewes, plus

0'5 lb. lrom the

ram.

The improvement in average production of rams and ewes through selection is therefore the total improvement divided by two: : 0.2 + 0.s :0.7 - 0.3s Ib.

But 40 per cent. of 0.35 lb. is the increase passed on to the offspring :0.14 lbs. Progress by Flock Testing in the same flock taking

overall quality of wool into consideration would be (a) From the ewes: Average cut

flock

unclassed

Average cut ofewes in flock selected by flock

5.9 lb. clean wool

testing 6.3

'Iherefore, the gain as a result offlock testing . .

(D) From the rams: Average cut per ram in unclassed

flock

Average cul. per ram

Kavr-rNn

ofllock testing

0.4 ,,

10.2 lb. clean wool

irr

flock selected bv flock testing . .. 12.6 Therefore, the gain as a 1'esult

2.+ ,,

,, 19

Aucusr,

1955

:l..:: :iE:

SHEEP,

WOOL and

MARKE.TS r,.ltri

;ffi

t ii rir{

E O. SCHLUNKE

t,1w Yffi ;.t:SI

::.w

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Aust, Ofiiial

really had a flash of vision

ARD men started the Australian wool industry. Men like John Macarthur, who fought rvith

a recognition, however

blurred by daily cares, of the great opportunity to establish tireir families in a prosperity which could be augmented or frittered arvay according to- the quality of iheir sons or grandsons or their sons' Whatever it was we, in a corporate and national sense their heirs, cannot be too iritical of their methods which, by modern standards, were a bit rough' They were, by and large, hard on the native flora including the aborigines, who showed and fauna an unobliging reluctanie to make themselves useful as shepherds ind serwants, and developed-an improper appetite for mutton and beef. They were hard on their .*ploy..t --- relaxation of discipline might lead to tr.,si.d deputy slipping off with the nucleus of a ^ later, pirhaps to b"io-" famous in the country's flock; pastoral records. 6r carelesst ess in the handling of the *.ot g man might lead to one of those baffiing changes of ow"nership oi run and stock which have so confused later historians,

.just about everyone in the Colony, and whose assigned servants, presumably, had little leisure for the softer side of pastoral life as it was represented by dallying with nymphs and the like. Iinglish poets flute music of their composition Certainly no original survives, and no quantity of carefree music.

But Macarthur did his woolgrowing in a gentle-

manly manner compared u'ith some of the "squatters" who pushed beyond the Nineteen Counties to take up land where they saw it. In these days, when it is common to regard living anywhere outside the capital cities as a hardship, it is difficult to understand the motives which impelled men to take such financial risks and to face such physical discomforts.

No doubt many of them hoped for a quick fortune and a speedy return to England, u'here they could live in the style of gentlemen. Perhaps some of them KBvr-rsr,

PhotograPh

Aucusr,

1955

If it was a hard life for the men, and their women, was certainly a hard life for the sheep. It seems to have taken the early settlers an extraordinary time to realise the erratic nature of our climate, If they saw abundant grass and deep flowing rivers in one season, they expected the same feed and the same quantity

done up in ampoules for injecting, in tins and botties sheep's throats with elaborate

for squirting down

drenching guns obtainable from the same firm at surprising prices. ("But you only need to save the iives of five, ten or twenty sheep to pay for them," the salesman explains) . Or with pellets, and pelietshooting guns with magazines holding i00 pellets,

of water next season, and the one after. One hears accounts of heroic dashes for permanent water with mobs of 10,000 sheep, the hero arriving at, say, the Murrumbidgee, with several hundred. Rough on the sheep. Not that the sheep received much sympathy. If any sympathy was expressed, it was for the owner. Poor fellow, he lost over 9,000

for speeding-up treatment and ensuring that the dose

sheep. He might even get the finance for another flock, with best wishes for better luck with the n'eather next

time.

With this sort of pastoral history it was natural that a hardv and healthy sheep was evolved; which was all to the good for the future of the industry, even

not ejected. All the antibiotics are available in forms suitable for sheep. If the sheepman is uneasy about the appearance ofone ofhis flock, why not a shot ofpenicillin or aureomycin? Why not? Or some Vitamin A to sustain them through a dry spell. Even if there is nothing wrong r,r,ith the sheep, that's no excuse for not yarding them and forcing something down their throats when the salesman calls with the back of his utility fu1l of his firm's products. Salesmen, of course, like graziers, have to live. And if I sound a bit intolerant it is because one can become weary of overmuch salesmanship, however ercellent the products. Calcium for better bones; fluorine drench for better teeth; some of this or that hormone to make sheep grow more quickly or wool grow longer or faster or finer. A man who gets caught in the blast of the phase can become as neurotic about his flock as a young mother who is addicted to taking baby-clinic advice about her offspring. . Baby-clinics and veterinarians are, no doubt, very useful. I am referring to abuses and extremes. I know graziers with store-rooms that look like chemists' shops. The lips of their sheep are alrt'ays bruised from

one cannot be enthusiastic about the methods.

This traditional indifference to ovine suffering is still noticeable in a regrettably large number of graziers, whose ideas on sheep husbandry could be expressed in the aphorism "Let 'em die." Despite the present high price of sheep, one still hears discussions on whether fodder-consewation "puyr". "Better let 'em die, and buv a nerv lot lvhen it rains." Or, "You could feed au ay trvice their value

and still iose them." And similar u,ords of bleak

wisdom.

At the other extreme there is the gror'ring number of owners who u'atch over their sheep u'ith the anxious care of parents, u'hose maxim is "\othing is too good." Not only the best in pasture and supplemen-

the nozzle of the drenching-gun and the taste of medicine is never out of their mouths. Like coddled humans, they develop hypochondriacal symptoms.

tary feeding, but eveiything else science can provide and money can buy. Science is becoming of increasing importance to the grazier and, in manv instances, is supported by levies chipped off his rvool-cheque or by payments made through organisations to r,vbich

At the producing end of the industry it built up a formidable front. Science now assaults the grazier in practically every mail bulletins giving the details of grim little experiments with sheep, shut up in pens for a year while they are fed with this and deprived of that; reports of investigations into diseases most sheepmen have never heard of, with descriptions of symptoms so many and varied that, if a sheep turns its head to look at its owner, he recalls illustrations of spinal disease; and if it lies down in the shade on a hot day he is tempted to rush out in the heat to reassure himself the lassitude hasn't some sinister he belongs. has

Between these extremes, of course, there is a sensibie

mean. Pasture-improvement

practised

pro-

its pitfalls, from the point of view of sheep-management, when the balance between lush growth and roughage is neglected. Luxurious pastures can also bring about startling changes which are not unknown in over-civilised human communities. Wethers have been known to develop mammary tissue, rams to lose their viriiity. A11 of which is very interesting and contributes to the reasons why graziers so seldom talk anything but "shop". In fact, prominent sheepmen, when re-

significance.

Then there are the laboratory workers u'ho won't Iet him rest until he sends samples of his sheep's droppings for microscopic examination, and then rob him of his sleep by discovering parasites invisible to the naked eye. And, on the heels of this alarming information, private enterprise comes with the cure, Kovr-rus

gressive and level-headed graziers, but even this has

Aucusr,

1955

it most satisfactory for travelling and for work since it is uncrushable and apparently unsoilable. If he spilt his drink on it all he needed to do was give it a rub with a handkerchief to remove entirely

proached for the habit, have been known to make the aggrieved reply "But what else ls there to talk about?"

So much enthusiasm and so much industry; so much accumuiated knowiedge and sheep-iore that a man who has made a living out of sheep all his life can get among the really knowing ones who judge at the sheep shows and feel hopelessl,v out of it. The fine-wool enthusiasts and the longr,vool

what would normally mean a problem stain for the

housekeeper. If he got drenched in the rain all he needed to do was hang it up; in the morning it looked as if it had just come back from the dry-cleaner. For summer wear in this country I believe the orlon or orlon-wool mixture has a definite place from which it will be ultimately impossible to keep it, unless the wool trade can beat it with a lower priced, summer

fancier; the British-breeds men and the fat-lamb

all, as it were, speaking different dialects, and apt to be uneasy if thrust into the wrollg company.

growers,

weight wool fabric,

of equal

lightness,

coolness,

appearance and durabiiity.

But for real protection against cold, lvool still has no equal. The result of a U.S. army investigation

,,?

proved this. For men who have to go out into the open

under all rt''eather conditions, wool has so many advantages over artificial fibres, and over wool and artificial fibre mixtures, that it will be used by the U.S. arml- for some years at least.

The fact must be faced, though, that vast numbers of men and r,r,omen, u,ho don't need to expose themselves to the elements, r'r'ill be attracted by the many advantages that artificial fibres have for certain purposes. It u'ould be rrell to remember the catastrophe of the silk industrr-.

Ali pulling in slightly different directions but, between them, running the nation's most important industry fairly eficiently. Unpretentious, busy men, who have somehow evolved a separate type of sheep suitable for each climatic district; each t;,pe providing the rarv material for a great number of purposes in many countries. A

wonderfully sound industry

at the

Ilele u as a natural fibre r'vith undoubted

moment,

though with the threat of what the Du Ponts may develop hanging over it. The new synthetic fabrics, particularly orlon, are not to be disregarded. Here in Australia we are apt to think of synthetic fibres as a vaguely threatening competitor in the

indefinite future, largely because do11ar shortages have prevented imports in any quantitl,. But in U.S.A., man-made fibres amount to nearly 24 per cent, of textiles used; cotton amounts to 69 per cent. ; wool, less thanT per cent.; silk, 0.1 per cent. One has only to see the advertisements in such magazines as the "New Yorker" to realise the enormous size of the synthetic fibre industry. My wife is probably as loyal a woman as any woolgrower could hope to have, yet I feel sure that if the materials she sees in the advertisements were available here, her consumption of wool would drop at least 50 per cent. Even if she were staunch enough to ignore all the glamour materials of entirely artificiai origin, she would never be able to resist the wonderful winter materials composed of 60 per cent, orlon and 40 per cent. wool, or even B0

per cent. orlon and 20 per cent. wool, which are virtually as warm as wool, washable, non-creasing, Iight, soft, and unsurpassed in wear-resistance and appearance.

An industrial chemist acquaintance of mine who had been in U.S. brought back an orlon suit which I find him wearing every time I meet him. He finds KEvlrNr,

and

outstanding quaiities. An1'man r,vho owned a real silk shirt or pair of pyjamas knows that for comfort and appearance silk cannot be matched. Yet silk has been iargely displaced by inferior artificial fibres. It could happen to wool. The woolgrowers have been inclined to be grossly complacent, Many have even resented the levy on their clip for scientific research. Yet all the time there were things about wool with which a more enterprising industry would have been concerning itself. That "scratch" {br instance; that near to unbearable "tickling" fo. the first few days of winter llhen lvoollen underwear is first put on, which r,vith many people is so irritating that they are unable to bear wool next to the skin. a What has the wool industry done about this cause of immense loss to the woollen underwear trade? Virtually nothing. Yet the fact that there is available a so-called "baby wool" which is used for infants' underwear, and is considered to be non-irritating, shows that a scratch-free men's woollerr singlet could be made if the problem \\''ere only tackled in earnest. Then there are the pullovers and cardigans, so warm and comfortable. Yet when washed how they shrink and eventually become matted into a felt-like substance even rvhen considerable care is taken. Of course, they can be successfully dry-cieaned, but that is extremely expensive. In U.S. you can get synthetic pullovers which can be tossed into the washing machine without the slightest apprehension -. that is something which has to be faced.

Aucusr,

1955

know that wool research has made some progress solving the shrinkage problem, but not nearly enough; some of the so-called shrink-proof articles,

though retaining their original length, become

hard and shapeless rvith washing as to become quite unwearable in an alarmingly short time. Woollen socks have many superiorities, but what about the premature wearing out of heels and toes? Nothing was done about this until synthetics arrived to be used as reinforcement. Mercers tell me that in men's socks, nylon, either pure or in mixture, has made enormous inroads into wool consumption. Then there are men's suits. Wool is a wonderful suiting material for winter, but only men's extreme conservatism and the absence of a suitabie substitute has kept them wearing the standard woollen suit in summer. This is a problem that cried out for attention, yet it received only meagre and belated investigation. I have a light-weight woollen suit, made of a fabric called soltine, which is light, cool, porous, keeps it's

shape remarkably well, looks good and even feels cool to the touch; yet most of my friends have never heard of this material and long for the day when they can get an orlon suit. Admittedly it was rather expensive, but so is orlon. My female-fashion expert tells me that there are all sorts of exquisitely fine and soft woollen fabrics, suitable for all climates and occasions; colourful

prints for Spring, beautifully draping evening-gown material rr,hich is actually sheer (feminine for transparent) but ther. "ne\.et seem to catch on". Lack of inteliigent publicity seems to be partly the cause.

FLO CK

TESTII\G

continued from page

1,000 breeding ewes which, when submitted for Flock Testing as maiden two tooths, lost 30 per cent. of their number through qulling for primary faults (conformation), poor wool, etc., and low, greasy fleece weight. This typical flock, producing 64's quality wool, would cut about 2/10 of a pound more per head per year than normally classed ewes. The lifetime increase alone means 200 pounds more wool per year from each i,000 ewes and is in addition to the permanent increase gained by improving the genetic worth of the stock. To be successful, Flock Testing must be practical and not interfere with normal shearing procedure. The accompanying photographs and explanation are intended to illustrate the practicability of the method ',vhen incorporated in a typical New South Wales shearing.

The methods used in Flock Testing can be used in yr-rNt

or eliminate the scratch and the shrinkage;

new

washing or cleaning techniques to eliminate the expense of dry-cleaning; wider variety in types of

materials produced; and, all the time, much more and better advertising. The latest summary of the world clothing position shows that while in the last year consumption of materials, as a whole, went up, wool did not share in the rise; and the amount paid for wool actually declined. This should make graziers think seriously;

should make them willing to doubie or treble the amount spent in research and publicity. For the time being it would be worth considering diverting some of the large amount of money and energy that goes into scientific aids for the production of wool, into e.<ploring wider avenues for its consumption. If science can make fabrics with so many out-

standing qualities, out of the unpromising raw materials which form the base of the synthetics, it is hardly conceivable that a comparable amount ol investigation into a near-perfect substance like wool wiil not produce results which .,vill solve all the wool industry's problems. But wool research has had a late start. For the individual grazier, concerned with production, there are plenty of problems to solve. But the solution to many of these boils down to good management, on the basis of knowledge already available

but imperfectly

digested.

wool per year compared'"vith normal classing : 0.028 Ib. of ciean wool per year. At the same time the annual cut-per-head of the ewe flock will be significantly increased. Let us imagine

Kn,

Had the wool industry been really awake to its responsibilities, its problems might have been solved many years ago. Processes and techniques to subciue

practice by the flock man who breeds no rams but can gain from the lifetime improvement of his young ewes submitted lor Flock Testing. Similarly, the small stud property which breeds enough rams to supply its own requirements r'vill benefit from testing of young rams and ewes. The most widespread and eflicient effect on the industry, however, will result lrom the large stud property which allows its potentiallv top rams and ewes to be tested. If this stud is making real progress in improving production, so then will the family of properties which purchase rams from it and ultimately the grade flocks who depend upon the studs for almost all their genetic improvement.

Mr.Jan T. Moolman, Chairman of the International Wool Secretariat, has said : "Woolgrowers must increase production to keep pace with the world's increasing population." The adoption of techniques based on such fleece measurements as have been outlined in the foregoing should double the present rate ol improvement in wool production. Aucusr:,

1955

$"i!

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CALROSSIE, PARAMOTJNT By Mr.

McG. SPROAT

Sproat

ALROSSIE PARAN'IOUNT, the dark roan Shorthorn bought at the Perth show this year for Kyalla Stud of Greenu'ich Park, Towrang (N.S.\V.), nas unanimously described by breeders throughout Britain as the most outstanding lB-monthsold Shorthorn bull seen lor many years, and by far the best champion out of ten shown at Perth by Captain John MacGiilivra,v, of Calrossie, Nigg, Scotland.

It was only after a very thorough examination of this buii's pedigree, plus inspection of other beasts still living and closest to the top of his pedigree, that practically regardless o1 it was decided to purchase CoSt,

Calrossie Paramount's sire is Calrossie Welcome, who has sired d 180,000-wr:rth of male progeny to date ; his dam is Calrossie Broadhooks Ann, who is the dam of d25,000-worth of bulls sold to date her progeny - Broadhooks have gone all over the world. Calrossie Ann's sire, Kirkton Baronet, has also sired many of the top sires in leading Scottish herds.

KBvr,rrt

Aucusr,

1955

Calrossie Paramount was selected after an extensive tour of all studs in Britain as the most suitable bull f'rom every angie to follow Calrossie Royal Standard at Greenwich Park. It will probably be of interest to breeders to know that Paramount has the same number of double crosses (four) cf the same animals as Rcyal Standard and he in turn, from the seventh dam back in his pedigree, is identical with that of Calrossie Red Baronet. Generally regarded as being one of the best two sires

ever to come to Australia

Key, who bred so

-- the other being Master {br Mr. Anthony

consistentl,v

Calrossie Paramount. was bought lbr 8,500 Hordern and cost a.t-:olrt dA13,000 landed in guineas sterling countrv. this

Calrossie Paramounl will be used at Greenwich Park on the progen)/ of Calrossie Royal Standard. Royal Standard was by Calrossie Cupbearer, a son of Kirkton Baronet; his dam, Calrossie Princess OIga, was by

Calrossie Supremacy.

Another recent and interesting importation to Australia is the 16-months-old white Shorthorn buli, Chalmerstone Perfect, bought for 3000 quineas by NIr. R. Q. de Quincev on behalf of Mr. R. D. N{cCaughey, one of Austraiia's foremost breeders ol Shorthorns

Mr.

Monsfield, Monoger of Greenwieh Park, ond Mrs. Monsfield were at Perth to see the purchase of Colrossie Poromount-

and N4erinos.

Chalmerstone Perli:ct's sire was Chalmerstone Baronet (bt' Kirkton Raronet) and his d,rm rvas Crackleton Princess Nina, vety r:losely related to Mr.

.]ack Kernelfield's noted sire Crackleton Pandelus. This r.oung u-hite bull was generally considered by hreeders to be the best of this breed colour seen this year in Scotland and it rvas generallv thought that he shouid have been m.rch higher in the prize-list.

F. H.

Covered yards ond feeding bins

Johnston photograPh.

at Greenutich

Pork

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PAYMEI\T FOR MILK

in solids-not-fat will result from breeding for fat. The remedy is to breed for solids-not-fat. The submission that payment for milk at a uniform rate per gallon "tends to encourage production of minimum-quality milk and the consequent adoption in the supplying herds of the lower-testing cattle breeds and crosses" could be accepted as true. It is significant, however, that the average butter-fat percentage of milk distributed in the metropolitan district of Sydney has shown no decline during the

Continued from page 13

1949, warned against using butter-fat as an index of solids-not-fat content in the milk of individual herds because the variation of S.N.F. value from the average of any butter-fat level are so wide.

fn view of the importance of the S.N.F. content of milk, much concern has been expressed at the decline of these constituents which has taken place during the last 50 years. Research workers in different countries have shown that the primary reason for this decline is that milk has been bought either on volume, or on a butter-fat

past 20 years under a system of payment at a uniform

rate per gallon. Regarding the low-testing milk supplied from some areas, the average butter-f;at content has doubtless been maintained by supplies from the relatively new liquid-milk-producing districts in the North. Again, taking into consideration the low average chemical quality of milk from some districts compared with others, it might appear desirable to introduce some incentive to producers to at least maintain their supplies at a reasonably satisfactory level of quality.

basis. Having shown conclusively that solids-not-fat is not correlated with milk yield, and is only slightly

correlated with fat-content, the foremost workers in this field are agreed that no worthwhile increase

But, as a matter of practical management, the experience of the N.S.W. Milk Board has been that the main problem is making sure of a sufficient supply to cope with the consumers' demands at all seasons of the year. Effects on total production of a system of payment for liquid milk on a compositional

(ql,ww, Kr,vr,rrr, the official monthly journal of the Keyline

to be considered rather carefully. for.instance, the application of such a system caused a large-scale swing in favour of the Jersey breed, the problem of adequate supplies could be a basis might need

(Research) Foundation, is published by Keyline Publishing Pty. Limited, 117 Pitt Street, Sydney. The primary purpose ol the journal is to reflect the work and aims of the Keyline Foundation in propagating the Keyline technique of farming throughout Australia.

If,

serious one,

The case for a revieu' of the Brisbane milk supply has been ably stated by Mr. Cox, supported by data w'hich, no doubt, has been selected for that purpose.

Contributions on all topics ol interest to the manon-theland are invited, however, and will be paid for at standard rates or better, according to quality. Where possible, articles should be accompanied by photographs. All contributions and editorial corres-

The England and Wales Milk Marketing Board in its price-schedule for the payment of 4d. per gallon, in addition to poolprices, for milk from herds of pure Channel Island and South Devon cattle which conform to specified has for some years provided

pondence should be addressed to the Editor, KnyI-tNo, Room 6, Bth Floor, ll7 Pitt Street, Sydney.

All advertising inquiries, space orders, copy instructions, materials, etc., should be directed to J. T.

standards.

O'Mara, Room 2, 3rd Floor, 283 Elizabeth Street, (lt[A 2688).

From time to time representatives of the Jersey Herd Society have stated a case for payment for market milk on a butter-fat basis. While such a system may be relatively simple to apply in cases where sales are made under contract bitween the producer and the milk-dealer, it would be an entirely different matter to apply the system outlined in Mr. Cox's article under N.S.W. Milk

Sydney

Suitable binders will shortly be available so that copies of Krvr.rxe may be conveniently filed and retained for reference.

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER r YEAR, 30/- 2 YEARS, 60/- 3 YEARS, '0lNewsagent To ............. OR TO KEYLINE PUBLISHING PTY LTD., 117 Pitt Street, Sydney. Plede enter my subscription for "Keyline"

Board Administration.

To apply a system of payment of variable prices, on fat-content, to producers, would involve

commencing with

...issue NAME (Block Letters).

for.,

based

...-.,.,..years.

considerable changes in procedure at receiving factories and introduce complex problems in the

ADDRESS

'.....

KBvlrxr

accounting systems of the agent companies and the

(srATE)

enclose cheque/money order/postal note

for........ ,...

,. ..

Board. 26

ucusr,

955

- F'E,MII\II{E, lr

l.r

By THEA

til ,A'J :

in"'estigations in Ceylon. 'I'he names o1' .Brigadier and Mrs. D. M. Cleland, (the Brigadier administer:s Nen' Guinea) are there; Sir Stanton and Lady Hicks. who spent a n'eekend at Nevallan; Sir William N{cKell; N{r. Paril Hasluck, Mirrister lor Ierritories; N,Ir. and Mrs. C. K.Jacka (he is chairman of the Soil Conservation Authority) ; Professor and Mrs. J. R. A. McMillan (the Professor is Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the tlniversity of Sydney) ; Dr. M. C. Franklin, who specialises in animal nutrition at the

,:I F"-T-

t__11

\. I

AI\GLE,S

McN,{aster Animal Health Laboratory; Mr. \\. McDonald of Fossil Dow'n (Q.) ; Mrs. Anthom' Hordern, Sr. and Mr. and N,Irs. Anthony Hordern, .]r.; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bailleau of Victoria; N{r. G. B. S. Falkiner and Mr. Mac Natham. This is a thin

gleaning from the names of many prominent people . Beside this busy life at Nevallan, Mrs. Yeomans, who has three sons, has a home at Vaucluse, Sydney, lrom which she takes her eiqht-vear-old son to school

Hosptr.c.srE Lrnr.

ITHOUT a doubt one of the busiest women in S-vdnev is \{rs. P. A. Yeomans, who provides so much hospitality for those interested in

Keyline. On Sundavs, at23A in the afternoon, numbers of peopie an,vthing from five to fifty go to Nev- (N.S.W.) allan, her husband's property near Richmond to see the practical results of Keyline and listen to Mr. Yeomans lecture, returning after the tour and lecture to be entertained to afternoon tea.

Mrs. P. A. Yeomons

Occasionallv during the week some interested person is taken up and given lunch on the property, and from time to time there is an open-farm-day when anyone who uses the land is .welcome to come. On these days visitors have reached the thousand mark,

and, even so, tea for such large numbers being

impossible, \,Irs. Yeomans sees that hot w-ater is provided for ever)rone to make their nrvn refreshments. There is such rvidespread interest in this property that a glance at the visitors' book reads like a cross between a league of Empire and the United Nations. It shows that from America came Mr. and Mrs. Hassil E. Schenck, Mr. Lou To,vne, President of the Farms Bureau of Indiana; Professor and Mrs. .James Thorpe also of Indiana (he is rvith the Waite Agricultural Research Institute at Adelaide), and Dr. and Mrs. George Hart -* Dr. Hart. a visitor under the f'ulbright plan, is Dean of the Facul[ of Veterinary Science in the Universitv of California. From South Africa carne lvfr. C-1. S. L. Fraucis.

representing the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation : he: left here to continrre his Ka\ t.rxt

Aucusr,

1955

well as being devoid of that artificial fervour that marks, and often marrs, the carefully manufactured national song. We can't all have a Marseillaise, so let us rejoice in our own haPpy tune.

daily. She also finds time to interest herself in the Country Women's Association, the Flying l)octor Service and the English Speaking Union, as r'r'ell as in her husband's other properties at Campbelltolr''n

and Orange.

The proposed new opera house at Bennelong Point, Sydney, has provided material for controversy about

the architectural style to be adopted. \{omen

PuNcnBs aNo PossB:rs

While the cool weather lasts there is still time to have

a good winter party. This is an invariable

success

because both hostess and guests have more energy and enthusiasm in winter. To come from the cold into a warm fireiit room, full of happy people and the delicious smell of hot savouries is bliss indeed, and the peak of felicity is reached when at the end one is farewelled with

be a social occasion as u'ell as a musical feast.

a hot drink.

1w--

Flere are some suggestions {br good drinks with which to speed the parting guest. Mulled Ale: Allow half a pint of ale for each person.

Pour the necessary quantity into a large saucepan, and to each quart add a tablespoon of sugar, a large pinch of both ground cloves and nutmeg, and half a level eggspoon of ground ginger. Bring almost to the boil and add a wineglass of brandy to each quart of ale. Serve piping hot in small tumblers. Ale Posset: Bring to the boil one quart of milk to which has been added a good tablespoon of sugar. Add half a pint of strong ale and half a pint of drv sherry. Mix well, strain and add a little grated nutmeg before serving. Cider Punch: To each quart of cider allolv three lumps of sugar, a dozen cloves, the juice of half an orange and a good glass of whisky. Pour into a very hot bowl and serve at once. Rum Punch: This is the perfect "one {br the road". Take one pint of white rum, half a pint of brandy, a small cup of lemon-juice, two pints of lvater, two tablespoons of bror'r,'n sugar. Boil water and sugar together, add the lemon-juice, rttm, and brandy, and heat again thoroughly without boiling. The quantitr' of sugar is optionai ;. some like it srt,eeter. If no punchbowl is available for serving use a big vegetable-disli.

or if you are lucky enough to have one, a big, old tbshioned soup-tureen. This drink should never be put in any kind of metal bowl, not even silver.

There is talk once again of a competition lbr a

national song and it was most heartening to hear Mr. Menzies come out in favour of Waltzing Ntlatilda. "Matilda" is at least original, and certainly charminq, Kr vr,rNn

are

saying that rvhile the architects are concentrating on the acoustics of the auditorium, and some distinction of style for the building, they do hope that they will remember to provide enough glamour. Opera, after ali, is the grown-ups' fairy tale, and should provide a good settingfor elegant frocking. A night at the opera should

>@*){dffi

F-q.crsc

. e

'rur Stx

Here is a house n'hich shorvs hon' to make the best

of both worlds. The outside is lovely, virtually bush to the windows, the inside gracious and functional' Exceptionally large areas of glass in all the rooms seem to bring the bush setting right into the house, making the rooms appear more spacious than they

actually are, and creating a fine sense of freedom. The fact that the house is mainly placed on a cement slab instead of ordinary foundations helps rvith the illusion, since the rather ugly step from house to terrace, usual r.l,ith piers, is absent. Siting is excellent. The living-room faces north to get winter sun for a great part of the day, the diningioom is sunny all dav, the kitchen very rightiy receives the morning sun, and the bedrooms both morning

and afternoon sun, the third bedroom, separated from the rest of the house by an attractive passage way with one stone lvall, has its own shower and toilet room, and so is equallv suited for guest or maid's room.

The aspect for the kitchen is really important. To come into a sunny room first thing in the morning is a nice start to the day. On the other hand, a westerly aspect for this important room, not uncommon in Sydney, means in summer an insupportably hot room in which to prepare the evening meal. The rvhole building, including the garage, is under one flat roof extended to form the very r'vide eaves which protect the stone terrace and shield the large windows from the hot summer sun' Stone has also been used for the fireplace wall which is continued outside the house on the south to \ucusT,

1955

q&t E

cut off the laundrv entrance from the glass door and windorv in the living room. This fireplace wall is

delightful and has the appearance of a dry-stone

rt'ail. Although some mortar has been used the joins

it is not apparent. 'Ihe effect of simplicit,v in this design is deceptivc.

are so rvell raked thar

Every detail is so u,ell considered that the result is air ofeffortless grace.

a.n

-+ffiffi

ffi Meg *#ffi *TS$

TIâ&#x201A;Ź

r:8 ti*

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daily. She also finds time to interest herself in the Country \\'omen's Association, the Flying Doctor Service and the English Speaking Union, as well as in her husband's other properties at Campbelltown

as well as being devoid of that artificial fervour that marks, and often marrs, the carefully manufactured national song. We can't all have a Marseillaise, so let us rejoice in our own happy tune.

and Orange.

The proposed new opera house at Bennelong Point, S,vdney, has provided material for controversy about the architectural style to be adopted. Women are

PuNcnBs AND PossETs

While the cool weather lasts there is still time to have

a good winter party. This is an invariable

success

because both hostess and guests have more energy and enthusiasm in winter. To come from the cold into a warm firelit room, full of happy people and the delicious

saying that rvhile the architects are concentrating on the acoustics of the auditorium, and some distinction of style for the building, they do hope that they will rernember to provide enough glamour. Opera, after all, is the grown-ups' fairy tale, and should provide a good setting for elegant frocking. A night at the opera should be a social occasion as rtell as a musical feast.

smeil of hot savouries is bliss indeed, and the peak of felicity is reached when at the end one is farewelled with a hot drink.

Flere are some suggestions {br good drinks with which to speed the parting guest. Mulled Ale: Allow half a pint of ale for each person. Pour the necessary quantity into a large saucepan, and to each quart add a tablespoon of sugar, a large pinch of both ground cloves and nutmeg, and half a level eggspoon of ground ginger. Bring almost to the boil and add a wineglass of brandy to each quart of ale. Serve piping hot in small tumblers.

Ale Posset: Bring to the boil one quart of miik to which has been added a good tablespoon of sugar. Add half a pint of strong ale and half a pint of dry sherry. Mix well, strain and add a little grated nutmeg before serving. Cider Punch: To each quart of cider allow three lumps of sugar, a dozen cloves, the juice of half an orange and a good glass of whisky. Pour into a very hot bowl and serve at once. Rum Punch: This is the perfect "one lbr the road". Take one pint of white rum, half a pint of brandy, a small cup of lemon-juice, two pints of \,vater, t$'o tablespoons of brown sugar. Boii water and sugar together, add the lemon-juice, rum, and brandy, and heat again thoroughly r,r,ithout boiling. The quantity of sugar is optionai ;. some like it su,eeter. If no punchbowl is available for serving use a big vegetable-dish,

or if you are lucky enough to have one, a big, old {'ashioned soup-tureen. This drink shou}d neter be put in any kind of metal bowl, not even silver.

Facrxc rrrE

SUN

Here is a house which shows horv to make the best of both worlds. The outside is lovely, virtually bush to the windows, the inside gracious and functional. Exceptionally large areas of glass in all the rooms seem to bring the bush setting right into the house, making the rooms appear more spacious than they actually are, and creating

fine sense of freedom. The

fact that the house is mainly placed on a cement slab instead of ordinary foundations helps with the illusion, since the rather ugly step from house to terrace, usual

with piers, is absent. Siting is excellent. The living-room faces north to get winter sun for a great part of the day, the diningroom is sunny all day, the kitchen very rightly receives

the morning sun, and the bedrooms both morning and afternoon sun, the third bedroom, separated from the rest of the house by an atttactive passage way with one stone wall, has its own shower and toilet room, and so is equallv suited for guest or maid's room.

The aspect for the kitchen is really important. To come into a sunny room first thing in the morning is a nice start to the day. On the other hand, a westerly aspect

for this important room, not uncommon in

Sydney, nleans in summer an insupportably hot room in which to prepare the evening meal.

There is talk once again of a competition for a

national song and it was most heartening to hear Mr. Menzies come out in favour of Waltzing Matilda. "Matilda" is at least original, and certainly charming, Ke nr-rNr

The rvhole building, including the garage, is under one flat roof extended to lorm the very wide eaves which protect the stone terrace and shield the large windows from the hot summer sun' Stone has also been used for the fireplace wall which is continued outside the house on the south to A.ucusr,1955

cut off the launch'r' enrr:lrrce li-orn the glass door and windo.'v in the livin3- r'oorn. 'Ilhis fireplace wall is clelightful ancl has tl.re ;ippearance ol a dry-stone Although some III(rltAt' ha-s |een used the .joins "vall. ale ro rr'ell rekrd tlr..r ir i. rr.,L Jppalent. The effect of sinrplicirr. ili rhis dcsign is dcceptir-t.. Every detail is so rr'eil considerrcl that the resulr is al air of effortless

qr:rce.

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OVTR THE, RAILS ?I

L ,/

Er M. Ronanrs, who writes (on page 16) on flocku testing as a means of wool improvement, belongs to the School of Wool Technologl, at the N.S.W. University of Technology. Mr. Roberts graduated frorn the IJniversity of New Zealand with honours in animal husbandry and is now working on rvool-improvemenr research with the aid of a ffant lrom the trVool Re-

search Trust Fund, The results of this research, together

with the findings of various other research institutions, have recently been recommended by the C.S.I.R.O. as methods which could double the present rate of improvement in wool production in Australia. These methods, originally called "fleece-measurement", have been renamed "Flock-Testing" and Mr. Roberts is developing a service, in conjunction lvith the N.S.W. Department of Agriculture, to make them available to N{erino breeders throughout the State.

in Sydney. He remained with that

company until

1950 when he set-up on his own in stud stock activities.

To keep abreast of stud-stock breeding, Mr. Sproat has been overseas trvice in the last {bur years buying

beef cattle of various breeds on behalf of some of the leading stud breeders in Australia. Two of his most notable purchases have been Calrossie Royal Standard and Clalrossie Paramount, both for the Greenwicli Park stud. Incidentall,v, Mr. Sproat is a nephew of the

late Walter Biggar whojudged at the 1946 R.A.S. Poll Shorthorns and steers. lvlr. Biggar had something of' a u,orld record in that he judged the far cattle section at the Chicago Shorv for ten vears running.

O. ScHI-uxra, lvho sounds a warning note on sheep and wool (page 21), is a Reefton (N.S.W.) sheeprnan, but is probably more u,idely known as the author of an impressive collection of books, short stories and agricultural articles. Mr. Schlunke's comments are timely, though sheep and wool-men rnay take some heart from the latest report of the Consumers' Union Continued on page 32

("Andy") McG. Sppoer (page 24) who selected 1[ r Calrossie Paramount for Kyalla Pty. Ltd., Greenwich Park, Tolwang (N.S.W.), was born in Scotland, the son of a Shorthorn breeder, and came to this country in 1927. Naturally, he had spent all his early life among Shorthorns in Scotland and, when he arrived in Australia, he went straight to North Queensland and the Northern Territory and spent six years in those parts. For the last two years of his stay in Queensland he was overseer on Strathdarr, one of the foremost Merino studs in the northern State; from there he went to Buttabone stud at Warren and was overseer there for four-and-a-half years. Then he managed Yarrawin Merino stud near Brewarrina for four years and, at the end of that time, the N.Z.L.N,{.

Agency Co. offered him a position as their stud stock expert throughout Australia with headquarters Kryr-rNt

..TIMBER.R.R.R!''

\r r;r's'r.

19.55

3 YEARS AGO TODAY

the introduction of the GRAHAM PLOW.

is endcrsed

alike

T{OW COMES THE NEW AGRICULTURAL AID

'&IL..r: .+.It : El '\::i i. \YSq'4r*.{

sjr,*its'#vr.sq l*#',. 4'*ts*'1 ::&..*:"

re-

Australian land men many Graham-type imitations!

thousands

its

volution in Australian Agriculture with

the GRAHAM PLOW and

; u{:"s'*L ,.'-n# !:-# it'q.

Yeomans Proprietary Ltd. started

:qr'lr.#

l.,i..

What is 'Ag-Yo'?

Ag-Yo is made from volcanic flow rocks of the class of rhyolite, obsidium, pitchsrone and perlites. The weiSht of Ag-Yo is l0 lbs. or less per cubic foot. Dry sand, by comparison, weighs approximately 100 lbs, per cubic {oot.

A Flow Medium

Mixed with grus seed mixtures, it results in an eYen flow-so that the various of the psture remain mixed during placement' 'Ag-Yo' means no more patchy germination.

seeds

A Soil Conditioner

Ag-Yo is waterproof and will not absorb water into its structure. lt will, however, hold relatively large amounts of water around the larger surface area of its ox-kidneyJike outer structure.

A Bulking

Agent

Ag-Yo's li8htweight (minus 10 lbs. per cubic foot), its unique particle structure and chemical ine.tness, make it an ideal bulking agent. Ag-Yo qan be used in aerial agriculture for the spreading of fertilizers, inoculants, cultures, insecticides and weedicides.

A Valuabte Use in Farm

Dams

dams in which a pipeline is laid through the wall of the dam, Ag-Yo can be of significant benefit. A mixture ol 25o/o Ag-Yo and the wall material is placed around the PiPeline at each flanSe or joint and at further intervals of six to eight feet, during the laying of the piPeline.

ln the construction of earth-wall farm

'Ag-Yo' Price

33/5 oer 5 crbic foot bag, l.o.r., f.o.b.. Sydney. This price includes 216 for the hessian bag, which is refundable or an allowablededuction for bags returned in perfeâ&#x201A;Źt candition. 'Ag-Yo and its uses have been developed exclusively by Yeomans Proprietary Ltd,

Au$raliao Patenr -l[o, 161933 Votkl Patents Pending

PROPRIETART TEOTIAIT$ tlmlrED COUPON Fill in Coupon anil senil

Name ,o

us Jor Jull Jacts of AC-YO, the new, aoniler agr i cultur al ai <1.

KBvr,ruB

-- -'i

537 ELIZABETH ST., SYDNEY

MX 1784- MX

Address

'884

Aucusr,

955

ol'the United States an organisation which specialises in frank tests of -all kinds of goods offered to the public. It reported rhat "all-r,r,'ool, two-ply, tropical worsted is in the opinion ol Consumers' Union consultants still the ltest all-round summer-wear. This type of wool fabric usually retains its crispness and

.BRADYS

stands up exceptionally r,vell under dry cleaning." The

SAW

: "Uniike synthetics, it has no finishing compounds to lose in the dry-cleaning process. It does not 'pill', and has no annoying tenreport

continues

.^AILLS

dency to cling or collect dust. The tightly nvisted yarn

not only gives the fabric a high degree of wrinkle

resistance, but also good r,vrinkle recovery when the garment is hung up between wearings; it will therefore require much less pressing than the synthetic blends, to retain a neat appearance . . . in the light of their background and experience in the ciothing field,

TrHIS

Consumers' Union consultants are convinced that

none of the synthetic Iabrics or blended fabrics are

month's cover of Keyline shows a sub-clover plant picked from the top of the highest shale formerly a l:are, infertile patch hill on Nevalian transformed it to the rich of land until Keylining pasture indicated by the photograph. Note the ertraordinary root-development and nodulation to nine or ten inches below the surface.

a good all-woo}, two-ply tropical lvorsted." Still, none ol that is to gainsay Mr.

serviceable as

Schlunke's timely words of warning ; as he points ou t, ago that silk seemed to hold an irn-

it is not so long

pregnable position

in its field.

PERSONAL OUTLIN

Conrinued from page

Running over the names of men prominent in the agricultural world, Sarina, rather surprisingllr, mentioned a contemporary figure -- Sam llordern, president of the N.S.W. Agriculturai Society. Surprising, that is, in the context of the conversation, which was back a few years. But it appeared the timing was deliberate. He placed "Young Sam" in the top category, he said, because ol the "terrific job" he did in a variety of honorary posts in the Society (including that of Ringmaster) before taking on his present one, Sam Hordern's father was also President of the

pastoral interests and

r-rne

who went out of his u,'ay

t.cr

in life." Other names: "Sir Archie f{owie, who came out to Australia with his Iather as a baby and became one

meet all, irrespective of'their station

of Sydney's greatest constructional

engineers. He started Navua farm, became Lord Mayor of Sydne.v ((f1e1n ;1 and President of the R.A.S." Bill Gunn long line of land people. Doing a remarkable job

for the Australian woolgrorver and the Australian

meat-producer. Definitely a personalitl'."

Then, back to silage. "I've seen a pit of silage the after 32 years come out like a plug of tobacco veins of the leaves weren't broken. The only problem in Australia is the labour. We dig too deep and make our pits too large. In the Argentine the pits are along the perimeters of flat paddocks. They go down to consequently, ttr\,o or three feet there at the most they can just scoop it out. I've seen-pits here 60 feet Iong by l5 feet wide by i0 lbet deep."

R.A.S.; a unique distinction in the history of the Society.

"The only other son I knew who followed in his father's footsteps in the Society was II. C. M. See, Chairman of the Agricultural Section. His father, John See, was President of the R.A.S. and Premier of the State in the early part of the century. "Anthony Hordern senior," Sarina continued, "is among the first few stock-breeders of the world. In

The quick shift in conversation, together with the recurring emphasis of the practical side of things,

both seem typical of the man.

Australia, asainst the best competition, he has gone to the top in the Show and Sale Rings with Shorthorns,

The R.A.S. is a great institution and Haroid

Herefords, Poll Herefords, Guernseys, Merinos, Romney Marsh, Welsh Ponies, sporting dogs even

Sarina was a great officer of the Society. The Societv's loss is the Keyline Foundation's gain. As organisingsecretary of the Foundation, llarold Sarina wiil have

budgerigars and pheasants. Most of his own breeding. Others imported, the best, irrespective of cost. "And talking of Presisdent of the R.A.S. Colin -Sir Sinclair was one of the great ones. A man of many Knvlrivr

rvork of national importance to do, and pienty ol it.

As prophesied, he wasn't content to trviddle thumbs in a backrt'ater. 32

\ucus'r,

his

1955

Tlw Owner of this Property DOES rO7 K]YOI, At the ba:e rtf r.ach tutt of rank srorqth i,. a nranure pad. \n,1 nrrl.'.ark g.as. rrill be produced br this portion ol pa:lur. \ihil-t th- rrarrrrr. remaiu:.

A herd of 5Ll corr: dcpo.it over 60[i of these dropping: everr 2 1 hours. {nd if left each rrill produce or.er the months similar clurnps c,f useless grosth.

But, if each is smear-spre ad r. ith a l)illon pasture Harrow, thinly and evenly, as onlv the Dillon can- rnore than a tou o{ rich grass-producing l'ertilizer rrill be returned to the su'ard. And from this returned I'ertilitr rrill be generaterl

milk-producing food.

lifty milkers deposit in droppings over a tor of rrgalic fertilizer everl 24 hours of every da1 of the vear. Ani' the efficient farrner rnakes u-.e ol'this with a lfillon SmearSpread pasturc harrow. Yes,

Distrihutors in. Victoria

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it.

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Get

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Tow-A-L[NE (on skids eir wheels). {rrade Mark)

WHEEL-O-RAIN Sprinkler line rolled to new Position (Trade Mark) by one man in a few minutes. GATED PIPE Eliminates ditches and provides controlled furrow watering through small adjustable gates.

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DANGAR, GEDYE & MALLOCH (VlC.)

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LEVIN & CO. LTD., Ei".',ciU;"t-"ni v"tg"'."t streets,

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SANDOVERS, Hay Street, Perth, W.A.

H. D. CRUICKSHANK & CO., 7 Auvergne Avenue' Hobart' Tasmania'

Wheel'O'Rain

NAME........

Gated PiPe

ADDRESS

Suction EquiPment