MILK SUPPLY TO CITY

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28471, 28 December 1957, Page 10

MILK SUPPLY TO CITY

Arrangements For Herds

Milk supplies to Christchurch would not be affected by the floods as farms south of the Waimakariri river would be able to handle the demand, the chairman of Canterbury Dairy Farmers (Mr C. J. McFadden) said last evening. It was fortunate that the holidays and the closed schools had reduced the quantity needed for the city. Milk produced north of the river will be converted to powder and deep-frozen cream at the company’s new balancing station at Kaiapoi. About three trucks will make the long haul from Kaiapoi through the Waimakariri Gorge to Christchurch. About five or six farmers ip the Belfast area, whose farms'were under water, had had their herds accommodated by other farmers, Mr McFadden said. Supplies would be kept separate and one farmer would complete his milking before the other herd was shedded. “The farmers have co-operated magnificently,” Mr McFadden said. “The situation will probably last for two or three days before herds can return to their own farms, but the damage to pastures by silting and waterlogging will be considerable. “We’re not facing any problem of feeding the animals and if necessary we can hand feed them,” he said.