SHORTAGE OF PASTURE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29746, 13 February 1962, Page 12

SHORTAGE OF PASTURE

Less Hay In Reserve Throughout Canterbury there is a general shortage of pasture and. with the harvest virtually over in most areas, farmers are looking for good soaking rains this month to bring the autumn growth away. In Mid-Canter-bury and parts of North and South Canterbury hay is being fed but most farmers are trying to conserve their hay stocks for the winter. Because of the poor spring growth most farms have much less than their normal complement of hay to carry them through the winter. Except for South Canterbury, most crops are in the bag. although there is still linseed to be harvested and some small seeds in odd areas Potato crops are feeling the effects of the weather and starting to dry off but if there are heavy rains there could be second growth.

In North and Mid-Canter-bury there was little or no pasture growth in January and the rains which did fall were soon nullified by hot north-west winds. On Banks Peninsula the eastern bays are very dry and bare and the whole peninsula is short of feed. Dairy farms seem the worst hit and milk supplies to dairy factories are well down

There has been enough moisture in the ground throughout Canterbury to give satisfactory strikes of seed sown for winter greenfeed. Growth has been satisfactory in some areas but retarded in others.

Foothills farms are feeling the pinch and in some areas hay is being fed out to cattle. The short spring growth limited hay production and good rains are needed immediately for pasture recovery. Feed is drying off in the high country and good rains are looked for. About half an inch of rain fell in many districts of Canterbury and Marlborough on Sunday night which should help turnip and greenfeed crops but it was insufficient to affect pastures. Marlborough has been more fortunately placed this year. January rainfall totalled about 5J inches in most areas and brought pastures away well, although another ram will soon be needed to sustain this recovery. The January rains meant another cut of lucerne for many farmers.