FARMERS, TROUBLES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 209, 5 September 1938, Page 5

FARMERS , TROUBLES.

DAIRYING IN WAIKATO.

ECZEMA OUTBREAK EFFECTS.

(From Our Correspondent.)

HAMILTON, Saturday. Many difficulties have beset farmers m the Waikato during the last few weeks, which have marked the opening of the 1938-39 dairying season. Although calving has advanced to a stage when two-thirds of the cows have come into profit, the increased number being milked has not been reflected in factory returns to the extent that usually occurs. This is because much of the milk has been held back to feed heifer calves that are being reared to replace cows discarded or lost owing to disease.

Although the winter has not been unusually cold, frosts and frequent rains, with insufficient sunshine to counterbalance their effects, have brought about a shortage of feed and unsatisfactory conditions. A prominent farmer stated to-day that calving troubles had been prevalent this season.

The far-reaching effects of the eczema outbreak, which occurred in the Waikato last autumn, are still being felt by flock-owners. Numerous ewes have failed to lamb, and those attacked by the disease have greatly depreciated in value. Their carcases are worthless and their wool is dead and practically valueless. Apart from the mortality that occurred at the time of the outbreak, the loss through poor lambing and the ill-health of surviving sheep is very extensive.