FARMING PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14868, 20 December 1911, Page 10

FARMING PROSPECTS.

INCREASE IN DAIRYING.

DECLINE IN FAT STOCK.

With a view of obtaining information as to supplies arid "prospects of markets for farmers' produce Mr. A. , Schmitt, provincial secretary of the Auckland Farmers' Union, recently sent a circular to the Various branches of the union asking that the prospects of lambing, cropping, dairying, and fat stock in the various districts should be supplied.

Speaking to a Herald reporter yesterday Mr. Schmitt gave a summary of tho reports he had received.

Judging from the reports to hand he said tho area under oats is somewhat [in excess of that of last year. The crops in nearly all cases are doing well, though in a few districts Algerian oats have shown slight signs of rust. It is anticipated, however, that this will not prove serious, and it is expected that • tho yields generally will be heavier than they were last year.

The area planted with potatoes is also larger this year. Blight has not been so Severe on the tubers, but nevertheless the yield will probably, be lighter this season.

In respect to dairying every district reports an ; increase in dairy herds. The season", almost throughout the province, started slightly earlier than last year, owing to the fact that farmers had regulated their flocks to" come in earlier. Later reports show that cows are milking well, so that it can confidently bo expected that the= season's output will be a record for the province. ' .

With regard to fat. stock the reports that have no far'been received would indicate that supplies -will be short- in beef. This is possibly owing to the fact that so many formers have gone in for dairying.

. The various branch reports as to the lambing this season show that some districts in th'a province have reported good averages. Tailing the lambing on the whole, however, the results are not equal to those of last season, and the present season's supply will be somewhat short. The shortage in some instances h' attributed to the lateness of the spring, and in other cases the dry spell during the breeding season is considered a contributing factor. -■■ ■'.'. :

Summed up the reports indicate that while dairying products and oats will show un increase there will be a decline in the product of beef and lambs for the season.