Big losses seen

Press, 28 March 1980, Page 17

Big losses seen

A New Zealander who made his mark in British farming, Mr A. A. (Sandy) Copland, believes that a lot of production is being lost by stock having to fall back on their body reserves in the winter. He sees a lesson in the experience of recent seasons. Speaking to the world Charolais convention last week he said “when I look at New Zealand I can’t help but visualise the enormous potential there is for increased production if there was a far greater conservation of winter foodstuffs. The loss of production is enormous when sheep and cattle have to fall back on their body reserves to get through bad times. The drought followed by the hard winter of 1978 took a heavy toll — not only in less lambs and less calves, but the loss in growth of meat and in the production of milk and wool must have been enormous. “But look at the situation this season. I have never seen cattle and sheep look so well. A mild autumn and winter saw record lambing and calving percentages. The Ministry’s statistics are revealing — they are forecasting an extra 1.5 M lambs. Just think of that , .