NOTES BY THE WAY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22906, 30 December 1939, Page 6

NOTES BY THE WAY

SOUTH CANTERBURY CONDITIONS

Nowhere in the province was the rain of the early part of the week so urgently needed as in South Canterbury, more particularly on the coastal areas. Up till December 26 the total fall recorded for the year at Timaru was only 12.71 in. In the first seven months the fall was a meagre 7.7 in, and in the 12 weeks from October 21 to December 26 it was 1 c'k than 2in. The inch or more recorded early this week therefore meant the rescue of a lot of crop. There had been during the year a precipitation inland, but generally only to the extent of a few inches. In marked contrast was the fall of last'year, which, at Timaru, was 39.93 in up to December 26. This fall erred as much on the side of excess as this season’s has on that of insufficiency. This year’s fall at Timaru, as a matter of fact, is the smallest since 1926, when 13.73 inches for the year were recorded. Two other years Recorded even smaller rainfalls than this. In 1915 it was 12.36 inches, and in 1897 12.57 inches. While the rain will do an immense amount of good in stimulating cereal crops it is too late to ensure average yields. Fortunately the heavier soils oh some of the flat country, such as the Temuka and Geraldine districts, have carried along crops very well in spite of the lack of moisture. Crops in these districts should now fill .out well, although even in these districts normal yields cannot be expected. One close observer' has expressed the opinion that where .wheat has followed wheat the crops have suffered hadly, but. where the ground has been fallowed,Jhey have stood up remarkably well. The oats crops have suffered much more than the wheat, which is a general experience all over the province. South Canterbury production—at all events in some districts—is unlikely to meet the needs on the farm for horse feed. There has been little hay saved, and rape and turnips were languishing badly on account of the long continued absence of rain. The visitation of the week will make all the difference in these and other root crops and enable the sowing of small seeds, which has been delayed, to be undertaken. Dairy production has also declined in the last few weeks, but with the warm condition of the soil and the heaviness of the downpour in most parts there should be a marked revival in growth. Even with the recent rain the fall for the 12 months will be one of the lowest on record. BRITISH MEAT PRICES -The initial prices at which the Bri- ' tish Government will buy fat stock “in the near future” under, its new live stock scheme may make rather envious reading for the New Zealand producer. A grade fat steers,' heifers, and “cow heifers," With a killing percentage of 58 per cent, and more, will be bought at 55s 6d per live cwt. The equivalent of this price on New Zealand methods of computation would be £4 5s per 100 lb dressed weight. Cattle with a lower dead weight percentage Will be paid for at correspondingly lower values —57 per cent, dressed weight at 345, and 56 per cent dressed at 32s 6d, as an instance. The lowest grade heifers—killing 50 per cent, dressed weight—will be worth 37s per Uvfe ewt. Fat cows killing 55 per cent, and more will be worth 34s per live cwt, and 53 per cent, dressed 30s. On top of these prices (for grade A steers, etc.) consideration is to be given as to how far it may be possible to deal with the special Case of quality cattle which' kill out at a high percentage. The present subsidy for fat cattle under the Livestock Industries Act, in operation since 1037, will cease when, the above prices, which are initial ones, come into operation. The prices, moreover, are subject, where appropriate, to adjustment from time to time to take account of seasonal trends and substantial variations in the cost of production. .. The price for lamb and mutton will be on a similar generous scale. For fat Sheep it will be on the basis of an annual price of Is per lb dressed carcase weight, or £2 16s for a 561b carcase. The prices to be paid for fat ewes Will be 7d per lb for dressed carcase weight, not to kill out at more than S6lb (32s 8d), Other fat ewes 6d_per lb. Sucking fat lambs from January 1 to March 31. 1040, will be Is 4d per lb, or for a 401b lamb 53s 4d. For lambs purchased up to Decernbor 31. ill in© year of birth the price will be Ijd per lb more than the prescribed sheep price. In the calendar year following birth until the date of shearing the price addition will be reduced to Id per lb more than the sheep price After shearing the sheep price will apply. HEAVY LAMBS Although the rains of this week will give a decided stimulus to pasture growth, it is doubtful if it will have much effect in adding to the proportion of heavy lambs. Most fatteners will have to graze it fairly short to get their lambs away from their mothers, even at medium weights. The ram, however, has entirely altered the prospects of the rape crop, and it seems that the proportion of heavy lambs sent this year to the works will be largely dependent on the amount of rape and similar feed available. In this connexion there is always a danger of pulpy kidney ‘and other troubles should the rape crop be sufficient to allow heavy and extended, feeding. Apparently the prospects of a crop of heavy lambs are better in some other provinces. In Southland feed is abundant, and there should be a record amount of fattening. It was stated recently that farmers showed so little inclination to send lambs to the works previous to the holidays that they were unable to open. In recent years there has-been a definite demand for a preholiday' commencement, mainly because of the premium attached to the light lamb, the shortage of feed being a factor In occasional years only. This season’s crop of lambs, raised from big Romney ewes, the milk from ■which should be assured from the abundant feed, is likely to reach an exceptional average in weight. One observer mentioned to the writer that the prospe.cts were that most of the first part, of.,.the, season would Average the Rill 461&-, Just on .2,000,000 lambs are estimated? ;to have been produced in Southland;.this..season—a substantial increase oh last season’s total—so that the total weight of m6at should exceed all previous records. The Hawke’s. Bay province is also fulfilling the request to provide .heavier lahibs. Reference was made the other day to a . station draft of 2705 which averaged 40.51b. Another is reported this week, 1866- black-faced lambs from the Whakamarumaru Station of G. H. LOW averaging 40.751b.

Many farmers are experiencing difficulty in "obtaining supplies of Rape Seed. It should he noted that Matsoh s are hold'iiig. gdod ...stoctol and orders should be placed while these last. —2