AUTUMN WORK ON FARMS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 9

AUTUMN WORK ON FARMS

FAVOURABLE WEATHER

LINCOLN COLLEGE REPORT Cultivation wprk on farms during April was helped by good weather, and the autumn programme is well up to schedule, according to the monthly report from Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. The report notes that temperatures and hours of sunshine for the month were about average, but. that rainfall was below average. Rainfall to the end of April this year was 5.32 inches, only half that recorded at the College station in the previous two years. ’‘Eleven frosts were recorded, the most severe being one of 12 degrees on April 27,” the report states. “Frost damage was slight considering the severity of the frosts. There was a high proportion of cool north-easterly and southerly winds which was re-, fleeted in high humidities. “The good working «, conditions throughout the - month enabled farmers to make steady progress with the autumn cultivation programme and most of them are well up to schedule. Lea paddocks are still very hard, but any areas Which were cultivated earlier have turned over very well. Some farmers were even sufficiently far ahead to start drilling pat and wheat crops. "Very little harvest remained for completion in April, but some paddocks of red clover were mown and threshed or direct headed.' Yields of red clover this season were disappointing and few paddocks gave returns above ICOlb of seed an acre. The lifting of potato crops was continued under ideal conditions and tubers were clean. Yields were light to moderate. “The autumn growth of pastures was slow, probably due to the cold nights, but growth has not yet ceased. Pastures sow in mid-summer have done very well, but subterranean clover stands struck rather late and will not throw much growth until spring. Many farmers reported quite heayy infestations of the porina caterpillar and control measutes using poison bait were taken in the cases of severe attacks.

“Green feed crops have made good growth, and their production will greatly assist the winter feed position. Root and forage crops are only fair in most districts.

“Ewes were in good condition for the mating a period. Most farmers have completed the fattening of lambs and there should be low numbers for the closing period of the season. “The numbers of insect pests fell sharply during the month and there were practically no cases qf fly strike in sheep.”