Phenomenal Pasture Growth In Northland Aids Late Production

Northern Advocate, 25 February 1944, Page 5

Phenomenal Pasture Growth In Northland Aids Late Production

Phenomena] growth for this period of the year is taking place in most parts of Northland. Response to comparatively frequent rain has been rapid and pastures throughout the area provide striking contrast to the condition last year when drought turned paddocks into little more than barren wastes.

Commenting on present conditions, the Northland instructor in agriculture (Mr. E. H. Arnold) said that pasture was far superior to any February growth within In's knowledge. Whangarei district was particularly fortunate ns min had fallen at requisite intervals to keep the pasture in growth, which had been exceptional for this time of the year, particularly in valleys.

Holding Dairy Decline

With less rain, the Northern Wairoa and some other districts had not the same flush of feed, but throughout the North good pasture was general. The milk yield had decreased but ample feed was allowing the seasonal decline, which would have occurred if a long period of dry weather had been experienced, to be held. Cows were in good condition and provided the late autumn was not too dry they would go into the winter without loss, he continued.

With feed' plentiful some difficulty has been experiencpd in keeping pastures short for fattening sheep and lambs, long feed not being as beneficial. High weights for lambs sent to the works have been general, weight having been greater than in previous years. Lambs have fattened well, end many lines of up to about 700 have been acceptable with little more than 1 per cent, rejection, these being smaller lambs retained by farmers for their own killing.

High Local Prices

Few wethers have gone to the works, reason given being that butchers are paying prices ahead of export schedule, but with good feed and high prices, fat wethers forwarded to the works have increased.

With the milk supply commencing to fail off pigs have been finished off. Manpower shortage has been a reason for a decrease in pig killings, while the spring conditions were conducive to a falling off in the number of pigs for fattening. With the works occupied with sheep and lambs, cattle have been later in moving and they are now being accommodated. Boners and other cattle that have gone through the works have showed increased weight compared with the calves handled in previous seasons and with prospect oi the feed position being maintained through the autumn the killing season will probably be longer.