FARMING IN OTAGO

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 152, 9 April 1930, Page 3

FARMING IN OTAGO

EFFECTS OF DRY SPELL., CROPPING AND GRAZING. (Special to the “Guardian.”) DUNEDIN, April 8. Stock pasturage and crops of turnips and rape in the country districts have suffered badly as a result of the continuod dry spell in the last few months, and, unless there is a good rainfall before the winter sets in, the prospects for many farmers will not be very bright. Stock sales throughout tile province have been considerably depressed by the threatened and, in some cases, actual shortage of feed and turnips. Pastures needed lor winter feed have shown but little growth. Following the drop in wool prices, the present state of affairs is causing great concern in very many cases. Tlie North Otago district is not noted for a very generous rainfall in ordinary times, but during January, February «nd March the position was worse than it has been for some years. At Duntroon, for instance, a total of 4.09 inches of rain was recorded for the first three months of this year, compared with 7.82 inches for the corresponding quarter of 1929. Turnips and rape crops in the district are very light, making the prospects for winter feeding of stock serious.

A decline in prices has been reported at most of the stock sales in the district, chiefly due to the dry weather and the lack of freezing space. Cull lambs and ewes have been sold for prices which, in some cases, were nearly l(ta less than in normal times. From Central Otago, the Taieri and the districts immediately _ north of Dunedin, reports of a similar nature are heard. The sale of a line of cull lambs in Central Otago is reported at several shillings per head, the owner being forced to dispose of them owing to shortage of feed. Crops of winter feed in these places are also very thin. A continuation of the rain at present falling, though it is light, will he greatly welcomed in all country districts.