Some farmlands still need rain

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32567, 29 March 1971, Page 1

Some farmlands still need rain

Good rains have relieved the drought in the Waimate district in South Canterbury and in some inland areas of the province, but in many other areas falls have not been sufficient to materially alter the situation. But even where good falls have now been experienced, growth will depend on temperatures remaining fairly high.

The southerly squall which swept over the province on Saturday brought worth-while falls in some areas, but little in others.

In the Morven area of South Canterbury about 75 points are reported to have fallen in one locality in only half an hour.

Mr J. L. Symons, of the Department of Agriculture at Waimate, said last evening that more than two inches of rain had now fallen in Waimate since the rain first began late last week; possibly slightly less than two inches in the dry coastal region and up to three or four inches further inland.

"Things are looking up,” Mr Symons said. “We have now got some possibility of getting growth.” But the extent of recovery would depend on conditions from now on being favourable for growth, he said. The rains in this district caused some wash-outs on hilly country, particularly in dry soils that have been cultivated.

Mr I. Wilson, who farms with his brother on the south bank of the Rakaia River above the Highbank power station, about six miles north

of Methven, said last evening that the area had had 150 points of rain late last week and another 30 points on Saturday. Their country had been the driest he had ever seen it, and. the rain had been, a godsend. But in the drought-stricken coastal area of Mid-Canter-bufy, Mr J. R. Bruce said last evening that only 68 points had so far fallen at Pendarves, including ,31 points in the 24 hours up until 9 a.m. yesterday. The rain that had fallen had been a help, but it was doubtful whether there had been sufficient for grass to be sown. Mr Bruce said that as yet only a small percentage of new grass had been sown in the district

There was at present not much chance of there being any feed before spring. He Was not optimistic about turnip prospects.

Where greenfeed oats had been drilled there had been a partial strike in some cases, and in others no strike at all. Eyen if good growing conditions continued for another two weeks or so it would be well on into the winter before there was much feed on them. The outlook was for feeding out of the bag or bale, he said. Only six points of, rain fell during the week-end near Darfield, bringing the fall in the last few days to 63 points. Mr A. L. Mulholland said that it would certainly give a "kick along” to any grass that was through, and if there were some more more showers they would keep growth going. Mr G. C. Beattie reported a further 12 points in the 24 hours to, 8 a.m. yesterday at Rangiora, bringing to 40

points the fall in the last few days and the fall for the month to 60 points and for the year to 3.18 inches. Mr R. A. Milne, senior farm advisory officer of the Department of Agriculture at Rangiora, said last evening that there was still a long way to* go before the drought was broken.

The weather office at Harewood recorded only 11 points in the 24 hours up until 9 a.m. yesterday, bringing to only 29 points the fall since last Thursday. In the 24 hours up to 9 a.m. yesterday falls in other districts included one point at Kaikoura, eight points at Port Robinson, 20 points at Hororata, five and 10 points from two reporting points at Timaru, 14 points at Lyttelton, 42 points at Gebbies Pass and 38 points at Akaroa.