Feed Situation Generally Good

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31362, 6 May 1967, Page 8

Feed Situation Generally Good

In spite of a very dry autumn this year, farmers in most parts of Canterbury will go into the winter with good reserves of feed.

Unlike last year, farmers will not have the pasture to take their ewes along until late June before going on to swedes or turnips, but they have already been compensated in some measure by a good spring last year that enabled them to make large quantities of hay. Well-filled haybarns have been a feature of the province, but farmers are still a little reluctant to open them for day-to-day feeding-out. As expected, inland districts have good winter crops. While it was a hard season to make good hay, the conditions gave swedes, turnips and chou moellier a good start.

Some crops down country are lighter this year, and some are being break-fed much earlier.

Farmers In some parts of Ashburton County are in a less favourable position than farmers in other parts of the province. Grass grub and porina damage has been very severe, and in the Carew area turnips were being fed early in April. Because of the severity of the grass grub problem, some farmers face the prospect of

having to sell off breeding ewes.

The rainfall figures for the first four months of 1967 provide the best explanation for the relatively poor autumn in down-country districts.

As at April 15, only 4.53 in of rain had been recorded at the Weather Office, Harewood, compared with 6.66 in the previous year. By May 1 the situation had improved, but the fall for four months, at 5.24 in, was still 3in less than for the same period last year. While conditions have been very dry for the preparation of ground for wheat sowings, there is still plenty of time for useful rains prior to drilling. The autumn feed position, however, has had its effect on such things as the livestock markets. Because of the shortage of autumn pasture, carry-over lamb prices have eased, while at Addington the inquiry for two-tooths (even those mated) is non-existent, and very weak for adult ewes. While the rains in the last week of April were welcome, they were a little late to assist pasture growth. Rain at this time of the year is accompanied by snow to foothills level. Frosts are then inevitable.

Unless there Is a spell of “Indian snummer,” any growth of grass between now and winter will probably not ba very great