FARMING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 62, 11 February 1936, Page 5

FARMING NEWS.

RURAL RAKJNGS. About 20 per cent, of tlic estimated maize crop in the Gisborne district tins been lost as a result of the recent storm. This is equal to from 8000 to 10.000 sacks of shelled maize. A sheep farmer in the Aim Aha Valiev Road, in the Wahgamd back-country, who had his season’s clip of woo. baled up and ready to dispatch to the market will now have to hold it until next year as a result of the redout storm. Though fairly satisfactory prices have been obtained by growers during the current season, it is stated that the fruit crop in Central Otago is generally lighter than it was last year. Up to the present the heaviest loading of fruit on one day at Alexandra lias boon 28 tons, whereas the largest quantity forwarded to the market on one day last year was 62 tons. “The present season lias been an abnormal one and consequently the majority of pastures are rank and suitable only as cattle food,” said Mr T. \V. Lonsdale, fields superintendent of the -Department of Agriculture in Wanganui, in 'conversation With a reporter. “Appearances are that farmers will experience many difficulties with their hoggets this season and care wifi have to be taken with their feeding.” ‘ „ , The biggest concentration oi sheep in the Gisborne district for many years oc--curred at the Matawhoro ewe fair, last week, when 36.140 ewes were offered for sale The offering would have been even larger but for the fact that many other mobs were turned hack when dlovers heard that the yards were already packed to capacity. r lho total yarded was 12,000 more' than advertised. Afcrnbcrs of the party of South Australian farmers, who left Wellington for Sydney last week after a tour of New Zealand, purchased, while ill the Dominion. nearly 200 stud sheep. The purchases included Corricdalcs, Romneys, Border Leiccstcrs, Southdowns and . Jlngltsh Lcicestci's, both rams and ewes of all breeds.