RAIN IN WAIRARAPA

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 112, 5 February 1941, Page 11

RAIN IN WAIRARAPA

Benefit To Dairy And Sheepfarmer Dominion Special Service. MASTERTON, February 4. Warm rains fell in the Wairarapa last night and continued throughout today, accompanied by a moderate north-wester-ly wind. Since the breaking of the dry spell on-January 12, ample rains have fallen, and pastures -which were burnt up have now returned to a spring-like greenness. Dairy factory returns are holding up well, and the season is now fulfilling its earlier promise of a good increase of production on last season’s figures. For the sheepfarmer the strong pasture growth has maintained the condition of flocks, and lambs are coming off in excellent form. Further rain at present may interfere with dipping, and the steady flush of growth has caused some uneasiness about facial eczema. While the present roughage resulting from the dry spell permeates pastures the danger is not acute, but should the growth increase at the present rate the danger of an outbreak will also increase. _ ' Some reports of grain having sprouted in the stock have been received, but the trouble has not apparently been as widespread as might be expected after the damp, muggy weather of the past few days. Crops of Tainui wheat in particular have proved themselves, crops harvested after the rain and heavy gales of last week showing that the wheat had no tendency to sprout and did not shake out in the wind.

Whether through an unfavourable season or the effect of the parasites liberated. white butterflies and diamond-backed moths appear to have been kept down to a minimum in the Wairarapa this season. Few pupae of either pest are to be seen on farm crops, and the number of insects flying about is noticeably smaller. Last year the number of both insects was also diminished, and it appears that an effective measure of control of both pests has now been established.