Rain Aids Farms All Over Province

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 13

Rain Aids Farms All Over Province

A week ago Canterbury’s farmers were beginning to fear a return to drought conditions, but rains averaging from half an inch to an inch which fell over the province in the early part of the week have greatly improved conditions.

Mr R. C. Schofield, of the Department of Agriculture in Timaru, yesterday described the rains as being worth “£1 a drop,” and he said the district now seemed to be poised for a good season. Departmental officers in Mid and North Canterbury agreed. The rains seem largely to have by-passed Marlborough annrf Mr J. P- Beggs, of the Department of Agriculture in Blenheim, said last evening that the whole of Marlborough was dry and in need of rain. It was even dry in the Sounds and in the Rai Valley. Brown strips were now showing in the dry countryside and northerly faces were browning off.

Blenheim recorded only 10 points of rain last Wednesday morning and four points on Thursday morning. For the month there was a rainfall of 49 points. Mr Beggs said that while lambs were doing well in the dry conditions, feed u T as getting short and rain was badly needed to fill out hay crops and also for other crops, although they were so far holding on fairly well. In the southern part of Canterbury the average fall was about an inch. Stock had been keeping up with

growth, but pastures were now expected to leap away, said Mr Schofield. Lambs seemed to be a little backward for their size—an aftermath of a difficult season earlier. Wheat crops, which had been getting dry, with some paddocks beginning to crack, and all spring crops, had benefited and the rain had made all the difference on paddocks being prepared for summer and winter feed crops. Farmers had been having difficulty in getting the ground down to a fine tilth. Mr C. P. Whatman, of the Department of Agriculture in Ashburton, said that the average fall for the district would probably be at least threequarter# of an inch. Crops had improved greatly since the rain, he said, and the soil was now in good condition for sowing crops like rape and swedes. The feed position was generally good, and while lamb growth was variable, it had improved considerably over the last two or three weeks.

In North Canterbury the rain varied from very little to about an inch, and all crops and ground being prepared for sowing have benefited. Mr E. G. Smith, of the Department of Agriculture in Rangiora, said that while the feed position was fairly good, what was important was that stock was doing well.

This only is charity, to do all, all that we can.—John Donne.