DAIRY PRODUCTION

Grey River Argus, 3 April 1943, Page 2

DAIRY PRODUCTION

FALL IN OUTPUT WHANGAREI, March 31. Dairy production in the Dominion to the end of February had decreased about 7 per cent, on last year’s figures, the reduction being mostly in the Auckland Province, said the Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, Hon. J. G. Barclay, at Whangarei. In the Auckland Province exceptionally dry conditions had brought about the decrease, but in the south good seasons were being experienced. “The demand in the Pacific area has not allowed us to have any surplus of pork, bacon, beef or wether mutton, but present indications are that there will be a considerable carry-over of lamb at the end of the season.” said the Minister. It was not anticipated, however, that any storage difficulties would be encountered. Anything that could be done by producers to increase bacon and pork production would be appreciated and the department was co-operating with stock firms to ensure an increase in the number of good breeding stock being available. Referring to wool, the Minister said that over 500,000 bales had accumulated in store in New Zealand and had been sold to the British Government.

LACK OF RAIN IN WAIKATO. HAMILTON, March* 30. Although the eastern areas. including Cambridge, and those in the direction of Raglan, are not feeling the dry weather so acutely as' the districts around Hamilton and further north, there is no doubt that its effects will be severe. The past quarter has been the driest for many years, with a rainfall about one-third of the average. The fall recorded in Hamilton since the beginning of March is 1.18 in., compared with a normal figure of 3.32 in., and last week’s total was only- a few points. Wide expanses of country are really parched, with the result that cows are drying off rapidly. Ensilage is exhausted on many farms and other winter feed is being used already to maintain stock. It is considered that at least a week’s heavy rain is needed to assist the winter growth, but if it came it would be too late to benefit the present season. In spite of the very dry conditions, no swamp fires of any size have occurred. This appears to be due to much greater care taken by landholders than in former years.