SOUTHLAND DROUGHT

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 April 1938, Page 3

SOUTHLAND DROUGHT

SHORTAGE OF STOCK-FEED. fPEE PBESH ASSOCIATION’.] INVERCARGILL. April 28. The likelihood of a serious shortage of feed for stock in Southland during the winter was mentioned by the president of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. A. R. Johnston, in a statement at the monthly meeting of the executive today. He said he made extensive enquiries into the position, and into the prospects of sending stock north if the shortage became acute. Air. Johnston said he had been told tliat th'ei'e were already several farmers who were facing a serious shortage of feed for their stock, and the position waS likely to grow much worse as the winter advanced. A great ileal would ddpend on the weather during the next few months. He had made inquiries about the prospects ot a surplus, and there was not much offering. although there might be later

in coastal districts if the weather was favourable. The position was already serious in the Waimea?', district, and along the 1-lokonui ranges. There was very little surplus feed’ offering in the Oamarh districts: but prospects were better in the Tinihrti district where a good deal of grass was available. Grass could be had for sheep at 3d a head. Railage of sheep to Timaru would cost about 2/3 a head. There was a fair amoiint of hay available’ in Canterbury, ail’d it could be brought to Southland for. about £5 10/- to £5 15/a. toil’. Farmers might also get fair results frolii the use of chaff with molasses oi* linseed nieal. The Government'had 7 announced a concession of free railage one way for stock sent out of the’ province because of the shortage of feed; but this concession was not so good as it sounded, as it was not availa i'c I” any farmer financially able to bear the cost of railage, or if the stock were railed tor a greater distance than was absolutely necessary.