Fanners Concerned About Drought.

Northern Advocate, 11 March 1948, Page 5

Fanners Concerned About Drought.

With the 1946 drought still fresh in their minds, farmers are regarding the present dry conditions with some concern.

The dry weather has caused a drop in butterfat production, parched pasturelands and the early feeding out of ensilage and hay, although Northland has not been as badly hit as other producing districts. The drought has been felt very severely on the Hauraki Plains and in the hill country near Morrinsville. It was stated to be worse this year in some areas than in 1946. The rest of the Waikato has also suffered, as have the rural areas near Auckland and Helensville. HEAVY RAIN NEEDED

Dairy experts were agreed yesterday that a heavy rainfall now would be in time to bring about a flush of aut■umn growth before the advent of the winter frosts. The shortage of feed has resulted in a loss of weight to fat stock. An indication of the shortage of feed can be found in the easing of prices for beef store cattle at stock sales, because mixed farmers are also reserving feed for the winter.

The fall in the milk production has resulted in an increased number of pigs being sent to the freezing works. Other farmers, who because of delays at the freezing works were not able to send all their fat lambs and ev/es away for killing, are also suffering. because these beasts are eating valuable feed needed for winter reserves.