SHORTAGE OF FEED FOR STOCK

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22388, 29 April 1938, Page 10

SHORTAGE OF FEED FOR STOCK

Southland Situation Discussed

SERIOUS POSITION IN SOME DISTRICTS

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TKUCGBAK.) INVERCARGILL, April 28. The likelihood of a serious shortage of feed for stock in Southland during the winter was mentioned by the president of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union, Mr A. R. Johnston, in a statement at the monthly* meeting of the executive to-day. He said he had made pxtensive inquiries into the position, and into the prospects of sending stock north if the shortage became acute. Mr Johnston said he had been told that there were already several farmers who were facihg a serious shortage of feed for their stock, and the position was likely to grow much worse as the winter advanced. A great deal would depend on the weather during the next few months. He had mdde inquiries about the prospects of a surplus, and there was not much offering, although there might be later in coastal districts if the weather was favourable. The position was already serious in the Waimea district, and along the Hokonui ranges. There was very little surplus feed offering in the Oamaru district; but prospects weire better in the Timaru district, where a good deal of grass was available.' Grass could be had for sheep at 3d a head a week, and turnips at about 8d a head a week. Ra'ilage of sheep to Timaru would cost about 2s 3d a head. ", There was a fair amount of hay available in Canterbury, and it could be brought to Southland for about £5 10s to £5 15s a ton. * Farmers might also get fair results from the use of chaff with molasses or linseed meal. The Government had announced a concession of free railage one way for stock sent out of the province because of the shortage of feed; but this concession was not so good as it sounded, as it was not available to any farmer financially able to bear the, cost of railage, or if the stock were railed for a greater distance than was absolutely necessary.