FEED MAY GAIN FROM SHOWERS

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32073, 22 August 1969, Page 1

FEED MAY GAIN FROM SHOWERS

Canterbury farmers are hopeful that the light showers recorded in most areas over the last two days will continue and improve feed growth before the height of the lambing season.

About half an inch of rain has been recorded in most areas since Thursday, and for some farmers has been the first worth-while fall for more than three months. A- period of good rainfall would greatly assist both lambing and autumn-sown crops, as long as it was not accompanied by cold weather, farm advisory officers said. ‘Thursday’s rain was the first decent shower we have had for a long time and will do some good as long as it doesn’t get too cold, but already the snow is well down in the Springfield areas,” said Mr J, Irving, of Darfield, where ,33in of rain fell on Thursday.

In Rangiora the fall was less, but was described by Mr R. A. Milne, a farm advisory

officer and chairman of the North Canterbury Drought Relief Committee, as very welcome. “We can do with more, but this will help the situation. In the last 12 months we have had only about 16in,” he said. The amount of rain would not solve problems for any time, said Mr C. P. P. Whatman, farm advisory officer at Ashburton and chairman of the Mid-Canterbury Drought Relief Committee.

“Unfortunately, it has been bitterly cold here and any more rain we get would be cold rain and more of a disadvantage to lambing than anything,” he. said. “I hope it will clear for a bit and we can get more, warmer rain next week.”