RAIN BADLY NEEDED
STOCK PRICES DECLINE
DRIEST SEASON FOR YEARS.
EFFECT UPON PASTURES.
The present lack of rain is having a most serious effect on farmers in the County, practically every field being in a parched and dry condition, reminding one of conditions in midsummer. So far this year only 6.01 inches of rain have fallen, this being the lowest for many years. Last year the fall up till May 31 was 12.9 inches. The rainfall for the period up to May 31 for the last five years is as follows: —
“The present season is the driest I can remember,” stated an old-estab-lished farmer of the Wakanui district this morning. He said that no rain worthy of mention had fallen since Christmas, and as a result .stock was gettyig in veiy low “condition, prices showing an astonishing drop compared with those of last year. Many farmers were afraid of sowing grain for next year owing to the dry and parched condition of the land, but not a great deal of moisture was required to allay these fears. It was expected that there would be a slight shortage of grain in the County next season. Optimists, however, were preparing the land for the "olden harvest. In the Methven district and districts near the hills the conditions are not nearly so had. and it is reported that there is enough feed in these districts to last for some weeks yet. The condition of stock lias been seriously affected, and by the large yardings at the weekly Ashburton sales it appears as though breeders are only too pleased to get rid of their sheep. Every class of stock has shown a considerable decline in prices compared with last year. Fat lambs are down by about 3s to 4s, ewes down about 6s, wethers ss, but the market for these is gradually improving. Stores are down by about 7s a head. Cattle also have shown a considerable drop from £2 to £3.
1923.1924.1925. 1926. 1927. January February 4.20 3.62 2.10 .37 1.74 .67 2.03 4.08 1.55 1.49 March 1.53 1.82 1.21 1.19 1.62 April 2.45 2.80 6.70 1.32 1.05 May 9.05 2.26 2.76 4.28 .3 20.85 9.35 13.08 12.90 6.01
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19270526.2.35
Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVII, Issue 10926, 26 May 1927, Page 5
Word Count
366RAIN BADLY NEEDED Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVII, Issue 10926, 26 May 1927, Page 5
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