RAIN A MIXED BLESSING

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 109, 1 February 1941, Page 8

RAIN A MIXED BLESSING

Resulting Gains And Losses From before New Year till recently a great deal was heard about how. dry conditions were. Actually, 1 considered that complaint largely unjustified, in that, such dryness is typical of four summers out of five. However, it was a fairly dry condition we faced, and to many the two or more inches of rain experienced lately came as a blessing. To others, however, it was a confounded nuisance. By and large, It was a dairyman's joy. From that standpoint “H.A.S.” expresses personal appreciation. This is partly for immediate feed gains and also largely as a security against a shortage that would have become somewhat acute by this month’s end had rain not arrived. All dairy pastures stand to benefit, with consequent immediate gains in production. Or, to put that more clearly and correctly, the milk flow will now be held, whereas it would have declined. This assists, too, the pig position ; but if milk was a little short before, we must assume it will still be so. Rain does not usually give more production at this season ; it does, and just does, bold production. Crops will benefit greatly, assisting both autumn feed and winter feed positions. Few, even of those who had bay out. will grumble at rain falling on it, for it has granted so much of good against a little bad there. In any case, 80 per cent, or more of hay was already in. Some lax farmers may lose hay that had not been “snugged” down, which is a lesson to all to set stacks in order without delay. On Sheep Fanns. Manawatu sheep-men generally appear pleased at the rain, but this is not so in Hawke's Bay, where most wished it had held off till at least mid-February. They have a lot of cleaning up of pastures to do and did not wish fresh 'growth coming on. They had, too, ample feed with a good bottom in it. Manawatu was. unusually, the driest area in all the North Island before this rain. I found on a visit during the rain that: Hawke’s Bay was in great summer condition, and previously I bad found the Wai rare pa normal. Those with grain in harvest, or due to bo. will universally be displeased with the rain; both are a nuisance and a cause of actual—in some cases substantialloss. The worst aspect of this rainy spell is its damage to the ryegrass harvest, which may prove very severe. A good feature will be the provision of cattle feed in all districts, which should promote heavy draftings this autumn of prime beef.