DRY WAIKATO LARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 21 January 1928, Page 2

DRY WAIKATO LARD

URGENT NEED FOR RAIN. ft MILK OUTPUT DECREASING. HAMILTON, Jan. 20. The Waikato is experiencing the worst dry spell it has had for over .14 ycais. Only half-an-inch of rain fell in Kami - ton in December and none has fallen this month. Everywhere, the country is dry and parched and the greatest concern is being felt by dairy farmeis. The butter-fat yield has dropped by over 25 per cent, this month, compaiecl with last month, and a further reduction in production is expected unless rain falls soon.' Where farmers have paspalum pasture or lucerne, or have stacks of ensilage, the position is not so serious. In some cases soft turnips are being fed out, although they have not yet matured. . In the swamps there is . still a good deal of rough feed to be had. The hill country is particularly bare. The position varies in different localitise owing to the fact that local rains have fallen in some places, but everywhere a heavy and fairly continuous downpour is greatly needed. In marked contrast to the conditions that prevail in the Pukekohe and Tuakau districts are the Hauraki Plains, where the heavier country, on account of its natural formation, is not suffering so much. Similar conditions prevail in the vicinity of Tirau where fhere appears to have been a little rain.

LIGHT RAINS IN THE NORTH.

WELCOME RELIEF GIVEN.

FRESHENING OF PASTURES.

WHARGAREI, Jan. 20. Throughout most of the North Auckland peninsula parched pastures have been relieved since Sunday by intermittent showers, which already have been followed by a freshening of the hill country. At a time when dairy production has been flagging through the relative scarcity of feed and when fat stock are pouring into the freezing works in record numbers, the breaking of the dry spell is of incalculable value in sustaining the milk yield and maintaining tlie condition of stock ready for killing. Although the rainfall has been fairly even, it has been much more heavy in some places than others. Illustrative of this was the experience of the Hon. 0. J. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture, who, during the latter part of his northern tour, lias been compelled to alter his itinerary on account of wet weather, and the condition of some of the subsidiary clay roads which are difficult to negotiate by motor car even with the use of chains. Crops in the Kerikeri settlement, at the Bay of Islands, and the farming country at Waipapa were inspected yesterday in almost continuous light rain which fell heavily during the night at Ohaeawai.

Farmers in the Northland, while welcoming the turn of the weather, are hoping that at least another inch of rain will fall.

Whangarei and district enjoyed another good rainfall last night and today. For the 24 hours ended at nine o’clock yesterday morning the rainfall was 39 points and for the same period up to nine o’clock this morning, 30 points, making 157 points for the month.