AUCKLAND'S MILK

Evening Star, Issue 25699, 24 January 1946, Page 8

AUCKLAND'S MILK

HEAVY FALL IN SUPPLY WINTER PROSPECTS SERIOUS (P.A.) . AUCKLAND, Jan. 23. . As the result of prolonged droughli conditions, the Auckland milk supply position is considered to be the worst for over 20 years. With milk production for the major city and suburban suppliers falling at an estimated rate of at least 300 gallons a day the present situation and the future _ outlook were stated to be the worst since the severe drought of 1919. Discussing the. outlook, members of the industry agreed that.the position in the coming winter- vras_ liKely to be extremely serious. Very little hay had been cut and farmers were already feeding out ensilage to their' stock. Even if heavy ram, followed by the most favourable conditions for growth, were soon. experienced the . position could scarcely be completely retrieved. Farm land's adjacent to Auckland are showing the effect of the drought conditions as plainly as any_ district in the province. Over a wide area around the city grass lands all have the vsame parched and lifeless .appearance, and farmers tell the same - story of abnormal falls in milk production. shortages of supplementary feed, and anxietv for months ahead They agree that this January isone of the most severe in dairying history