NO WINTER FODDER

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 170, 14 April 1932, Page 12

NO WINTER FODDER

Plight of Wairarapa Farmers URGENT ACTION NEEDED Dominion Special Service. Masterton, April 13. The seriousness of the plight in which dairy farmers in Wairarapa now find themselves, as a result of the abnormally dry summer, was stressed at a meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union to-day, when it was decided to address an appeal to the Government to provide financial assistance through the Intermediate Rural Credits Board for fanners unable to purchase winter fodder. The matter was brought up by a remit from the Greytown branch, urging that some scheme be evolved for adequate provision of winter feed for dairy stock, in view of the shortage of feed, and suggesting that finance be arranged for farmers not able to purchase fodder themselves.

It was stated that the crops of hay in the Wairarapa were the lightest on record, and conditions in the Kahutara district, Lower Valley, were the worst for 24 years. Hundreds of farmers had not a scrap of winter feed. Plenty of grazing was available in Hawke’s Bay, but many farmers could not afford to purchase it. The meeting discussed the matter fully, and the following resolution was finally carried: “That the Intermediate Rural Credits Board be asked through the Minister of Agriculture to grant immediately to local associations sufficient finance to purchase winter fodder and grazing for dairy cattle of Wairarapa farmers. This finance to be lent to applicants approved by the association directors. Repayment to be spread over next season’s dairy returns by means of orders on borrowers’ factory returns or promissory notes. Further, that the Minister be asked to arrange reduced transport freight for carriage of fodder and transport of cattle to and from grazing properties.” The executive appointed Messrs. W. A. Tate, W. Wiggins, anti J. Watson a deputation to wait on the Minister of Agriculture at the earliest possible moment in connection with the matter. The Hawke’s Bay branch of the union, at the request of the Wairarapa executive, forwarded particulars of winter fodder available in that district. This information showed that good meadow hay can he obtained for from £4/10/- to £4/15/- per ton; good lucerne hay £4/10/- to £5/5/-; threshed ryegrass £2/2/-; threshed hay, £2/5/- to £2/10/-; oaten chaff, £6; baled wheat straw (30 bales to ton), 35/- per ton; mangolds, 15/- per ton. These prices are all free on rail at Hastings. Freight from Hastings to Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, and Featherston is 14/3, 14/10, 15/9, 15/9 per ton respectively. “There is'quite a surplus of hay in the Manawatu district, but farmers there have big ideas of prices,” observed Mr. J. Bremner. He considered the best source of supply would be Hawke’s Bay.