HARD WINTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 225, 23 September 1938, Page 9

HARD WINTER.

EFFECT ON FARMERS.

NEW SEASON'S PROSPECTS.

MANY ADVERSE FACTORS. "Indications do not point to a particularly good season for farmers." said Mr. H. E. Worsp, speaking at the annual meeting of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Limited, held to-day. Production of dairy produce to date is below that of last season, contributing factors being a hard winter which meant that many cows were not in good condition at calving, late growth of grass, the toll taken by eczema and reduction of herds due to labour difficulties. On present, indications, receipts of dairy produce will not reach last season's quantities.

On account of the severe epidemic of facial eczema, which made its appearance in the North Island last February, a shortage of lambs for export must inevitably result. Many thousands of ewes died or were killed prior to lambing and reports from most districts are that lambing percentages have been poor. Export figures, especially from this province, will therefore suffer a big reduction compared with last year. In regard to cattle, sheep and pigs, at the best we cannot expect to kill any more than last vear's totals.

The extent to which disease is prevalent among stock is considerable and it is satisfactory to notice that an agricultural division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has recently been established, one of the principal functions of which will be to search for causes, cures and prevention of disease in New Zealand. The personnel of the division is such that good results may be expected from their efforts.