Feed shortage continues
Farmers in the South Island drought areas have been urged to constantly review their stocking situation, keeping in mind that the feed shortage is likely to continue through the summer and might get worse.
Mr Lionel Wells, management support officer (animal health) for MAFQuaI, in Christchurch, said the recent rains had been too late to provide adequate feed for stock already in a severely emaciated condition.
The length and intensity of the drought had caught many farmers
off-guard, and with the traditional hotter months of summer yet to come, the full extent of the drought might not yet be realised, said Mr Wells. “Farmers must be fully aware that the drought is not over and they must consider how they will get through the winter ahead with the stock they have on the farm.” Mr Wells said MAFQuaI staff would be available to help farmers in making decisions and planning for the future. Although thousands of head of stock had been transported away from the drought areas, there was a limit to the feed in
other districts. Many animals had, therefore, remained in the drought areas.
MAFQuaI had helped with the slaughter of very few stock in Canterbury so far, because farmers had responsibly reduced stock numbers in several ways, said Mr Wells. Some stock had been sent to freezing works while they were still in a saleable condition, others had been sold or sent to outside grazing, while small numbers of unsaleable stock had been progressively slaughtered MAFQuaI had a responsibility of ensuring
no animals suffered cruelty through lack of feed, and in conjunction with Federated Farmers and local authorities, had arranged the humane slaughter of animals which farmers considered to have no commercial value.
These severely drought-affected sheep should be removed to help preserve the economy of individual farms and to relieve the cruelty of suffering for the animals.
Mr Wells said the stock slaughter service provided by MAFQuaI was free of charge to farmers.
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Press, 9 December 1988, Page 30
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330Feed shortage continues Press, 9 December 1988, Page 30
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