Northland Dairymen Expect Mild Winter

Northern Advocate, 5 June 1939, Page 7

Northland Dairymen Expect Mild Winter

From a dairy farming point of view, a mild winter is anticipated in Northland this year. To date excellent weather has been experienced for the time of the year. Although there have been several light frosts, these have been followed by warm sunny days, and every week under such conditions is going to assist farmers and their stock later in the winter.

Although feed supplies are by no means plentiful, temperature is just as important an aspect from a stock welfare point of view, and to date there have been few of the chill, windy days which usually characterise the Northland winter.

The past week has been ideal, and, provided the winter remains dry, conditions on most farms should bo favourable to dairy stock. Farmers Use Discretion, On some farms in the Whangarei district the feed situation is acute, but a number of farmers have used their discretion in this respect and culled their herds heavily in preparation for a hard winter.

Should the weather prove mild, conditions will be all in their favour.

For those who have not disposed of surplus cattle, however, the position will be more serious.

The feed position on many farms is so acute that it will be difficult for them to carry their herds. The stock market is so depressed that farmers who otherwise would do so now are loath to sell at the low prices ruling, and even with the low values buyers are not operating to any great extent.