DROUGHT ENDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 246, 31 July 1935, Page 3

DROUGHT ENDS

QUEENSLAND RAINS.

BENEFIT VALUED AT £2,000,000. Experts estimate that the value to Queensland of the recent rains, which marked the end of a prolonged and severe drought, is at least £2,000,000 —possibly a good deal more. Stock prices have risen very considerably, and although the dairyman has not benefited so much as the pastoralist, pastures will be freshened and yields consequently improved. Soil in cotton areas may be. worked and wheat sowing will receive a great impetus. The Brisbane “Courier Mail” says: — “Spring grass is now virtually assured for almost all the State’s graziers. Another drought has ended, but its toll on the State’s flocks has yet to be made good, and its heavy losses have yet to be recouped by those who have had to bear them. And as certain as the night follows tile day, Queensland, after a respite of some more good seasons, will feel the grip of the drought commissioner appointed by the Government to investigate drought problems is reported to have been delayed by rains on his way to Longreach. That little joke played by the weather will be readily forgiven But it is to be hoped that the rain will not lead to an indefinite adpournment or the industry’s and the Government s consideration of drought insurance measures.” “Fifty to One Chance.” “It is wonderful rain. . . a 50 to 1 chance has come home. . . such phenomenal rains have never been expenenced before in certain portions of the State in the history of the white man s memory,” said Mr Norman Bourke, president of the United Graziers’ Association in speaking regarding the effect of the rains in the pastoral portions ot the State. . , , . Buit, as Mr Bourke pointed out, there is another side to the bright picture of rain falling. “Sheep are dying by the thousands because of the cola weather on top of the rain,” he said. “It will take two or three good seasons following this ram for the Mitchell grass areas to recuperate sufficiently to permit of what has been normal stocking.” . i„„,i The grazing industry of Queensland, however, is not but of the wood. The rain lias come at this time of the yeai almost as a miracle. There have been phenomenal falls for this time of vear in many grazing districts, particularly in the north-west. Upwauls of seven and eight inches have been recorded in places. Rain Causing Some Losses. “The actual effect of this rain is that heavy losses of sheep are occurring,’.’ Mr Bourke said. He explained that the stock are in a very low condition because of the prolonged dry weather and it is difficult to keep enough food up to the sheep by hand feeding to maintain the necessary bodily warmth. Consequently the sheep are dying of the cold. “The losses have been very heavy since the rain commenced and the losses are not ended vet,” Mr Bourke said. Mr- Bourke said that a fair amount of losses always occurred between the time the rain fell in an ordinary year and the time when sufficient new grass came up to give the sheep their fill. The rain destroyed the old feed and then there was an interval to the arrival of the new feed. “But the losses of sheep as a direct result of the rains will not be comparable with. tli& losses as a result of the drought, will they?” queried an interviewer. “It is very hard to say,” Mr Bourse replied. “Of course these losses were inevitable. To my mind it is just a paradox that if the stations did not lose their sheep as a result of the drought they must lose them just the same if rain fell.”