THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. "Public Service.” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1946. PRIMARY PRODUCTION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32672, 4 February 1946, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. "Public Service.” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1946. PRIMARY PRODUCTION.

Progress reports of primary production reflect the adverse weather conditions that have prevailed this season. The position is particularly disappointing as the farmers were desirous of increasing their output in order to meet the urgent need for foodstuffs overseas. An indication of that need was given in a cable message published last week recording the arrival of the first direct shipment of New Zealand to Hull since the war, and stating how the supplies would be distributed. London, the Midlands, the West Riding and Newcastle were to share the lamb, rabbits and hares. The cheese Was to be divided between the Midlands and the West Riding, and “the butter is earmarked for the West Riding.” New Zealand would like to think that it could pour in supplies in such volume that a much wider area would obtain their requirements. The prolonged spell of dry weather in important producing districts has had marked effects. Farmers have been unable to hold their stock, for the purpose of obtaining extra weight, because through lack of feed there was a serious risk of the lambs losing condition. In some respects the season resembles that of 1943-44, but the decline in average weights has been more noticeable in the North Island than in the South Island. The heavier early killings should enable larger shipments to be m’ade in the near future, but the loss of weight per carcase may reduce the 1945-46 aggregate. A great deal depends upon the weather during the next few weeks. Good soaking rains would effect a rapid improvement.

In the dairying industry many factories report serious falls in output. One in North Auckland had a decline of 3 tons of butter daily in the "first two weeks of the year, when compared with those of 1945. Another, which expected to turn out 300 tons of butter this month, may not exceed 200 tons. They report the driest summer for 25 years in that p'art of the Dominion. Waikato factories are also handling less milk and cream, one large establishment placing the decline at 15 percent. in the first part of the current month.

These matters would be sufficently serious to cause concern, but they do not give the complete picture. Farming is a continuous process. In the spring the men on the land make ensilage, and this season the growth of grass has been such that many farmers have been unable to provide the reserves of supplementary food that they usually do. The same applies to the hay. Crops are said to be light and that means a serious problem when the stock have to be fed during the winter and the early spring. The factors that are restricting output at the present time are also threatening the capacity to prodlucq .next .season, for, unless the stock comes through the winter months in good condition, the returns must fall. Here too, good rains, and an absence of drying winds, would quickly place a new complexion on things, ensuring that production would be maintained at a good level well into the autumn, and so, possibly, doing something to offset the ill-effects of the dry spell. It is to be hoped that conditions will improve, not only because that would enable the Dominion to record a high export aggregate, but also because it would improve the position and the future prospects of the producers. As things are the work has been done for a reduced return, in practically every banch of farming, and for reasons beyond the power of anyone to control.