LAMBING SEASON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 274, 1 September 1939, Page 6

LAMBING SEASON

UNDER WAY IN THE COUNTY. GENERAL IN COASTAL DISTRICTS FEW LOSSES ARE REPORTED. Lambing is now in full swing in the more coastal districts of the Ashburton County, and in some areas is stated to be more than half-way through. In districts toward the hills there has been little lambing so far, blit this month should see it under way in most parts. From inquiries made to-day it would appear that this lambing season is going to be a very good one. for few losses have been reported and lambs are* said to be in good healthy condition. On the heavier land, near the coast, there is plenty of feed and pastures have been affected little by the grass grub. This pest has done a great deal of damage on the lighter land, however, and although the recent rains is bringing on a welcome spring in the grass a large number of farmers will suffer through the ravages of the grub and the porina moth. Lambing so far had been very successful, said a farmer of the Wakanui district. Out of 100 lambs he had had only two losses so far, and the reports from other parts of this district indicated that there had been very few deaths. On the heavy land no trouble had been experienced with the grass grub, continued tl|e farmer. The thunderstorm last week gave the ground a thorough soaking and the pastures were, if anything, a bit too wet. It was the heaviest rainfall experienced in the district since this time last year, when there were floods. The grass was now springing up - beautifully, he added. The snowstorm a, few weeks ago killed some of the very early lambs, but not many farmers were greatly affected It is generally considered that the season will be much better one than was the case last year.

On the light lands a few miles further inland lambing is also proceeding rapidly. One farmer said that on his property it was over half finished. The lambs were very strong this year, he continued, and there had been quite a number of twins There was a shortage of feed caused by the attacks of the grass grub. Some paddocks had been about two-thirds cleaned out by the pest. Losses were practically nil, this being due to a large extent to the mildness of the weather recently. There have been no serious losses in the Winchmore district, although here, too, the feed has been affected a good deal by the grass grub and the moth. In the Methyen area, lambing is not yet general. It is expected to he in full swing in a few weeks. Although there has been a decided growth in the grass in the last two weeks, feed is fairly scarce. During the had spell the farmers used up their reserves, while others had been unwilling to sell in case the unfavourable weather should continue.