SOUTH ISLAND SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19148, 14 October 1925, Page 18

SOUTH ISLAND SEASON.

PROSPECTS FOR THE YEAR. THE WEATHER AND STOCK. i PROBLEMS CF FEED. JSY C. H. UK OWN. | Jho available evidence goes to shov> I that there will be the biggest sowing of I grass seed that has been seen in North I Ota go for some years. Jhe indications j point, also, to a very considerable in- | crease in the area under oats, and it is I certain that the total acreage under this cereal will greatly Exceed that, under wheat. This has been due, to some ex- ! tent to the weather conditions being Ul!- | favourable for what are termed spring ! sowings of -wheat. Also, ii is claimed that had the price oi next season s wheat been fixed earlier than May an endeavour | would have been made to sow move wheat, but those who, at this time, had decided I to put in a spring crop have had little I opportunity of working the land. A ! noticeable feature this year is that some i of the farmers who utilise tractors made | a big effort in the early part, of the season | and were successful in getting their wheat in before the weather broke, the tractor being kept going longer each day than it was possible to work teams. In so far as the present season's sowings of wheat are concerned it must be self-evident that imports from Australia, of either wheat or flour are most likely to prevail as a consequence of the anticipated shortage. Naturally a loss results to North Otago, which, along with Can terbury, represents one of the chief graingrowing centres of the South Island. Prospects locally are not at all bright, as a great deal of land prepared for wheatsowing had to be. put to some other use, as the long spell of dry weather precluded all possibility of sowing this cereal, and indications point to a deficiency in the vicinity of from 40 to 45 per cent, compared with last year. This percentage of loss may be, deduced by the fact that one large firm in Oamaru, which deals extensively in seed, has this season sent out only 1100 sacks of seed wheat compared with 1700 sacks in 1924. This represents 56 per cent, difference, but then a certain amount of seed was not drilled in owing to the intervention of wet weather, and Io farmers converting wheat land into new pastures. Difference in Seasons. In more ways than one the present season tends to be totally dissimilar to last year, when dry, sultry months followed each other with monotonous regularity, the land being bereft of the seasonable rains due at this period. However, when the rain did arrive, the prospects seemed bright for a splendid season, and it appeared that with reasonable conditions farmers would have most successful results from their year's work. Unfortunately, the rains in December and later months placed a great handicap on returns, for, through rust setting in, the oat crop was practically ruined "in many places, and, though wheat stosd up exceedingly well, the restricted area sown was a factor against heavy returns. Oats, especially, did not commensurate farmers for their outlay. The amount of barley put down this year appears to be on a par with the jii wnjie ryegrass, though ; not grown extensively in North Ota<?o, i also covers the same acreage. Potatoes | aie expected to show an increase on previous years, consignments of seed being on a large scale. Vagaries of tlie Weather. The vagaries of the weather have taken their toll of lambs, but, generally speaking, the mortality has not been abnormal. As it is, some farmers have sustained 15 per cent, of losses, while in one instance at Five Forks 12 per cent, loss was i recorded. Similar individual losses are apparent here and there throughout the low country where the lambing was early and are attributed to the boisterous climatic conditions at the time. Another feature of the lambing in North Otago this year ;s the paucity of twins. The cold weather has been trying upon the young lambs which failed to reach the stage where they are able to withstand the effects of cold and wet conditions. An authority, questioned on the subject, replied, Lambs are like infants, and require' food and • warmth immediately; the first fortnight of a lamb's existence and treatment has a most material influence upon its future development, especially if it is to be sold as prime mutton when one vear old."' There have also been a number of deaths among ewes, these being accounted for by gorging themselves with green feed. In certain centres the worst feature has been the shortage of feed, and the intense cold has caused ewes to fail to produce a full supply of milk for their lambs, which accordingly have not prospered as well as could be desired. Raising Early Lambs. It was unfortunate that those who specialised in early lambs should have lost so many, as early lambs bring big prices as exemplified by the first sales at Burnside this year, when 435. was paid, the weight being estimated at 331b. On this basis it pays handsomely to rear lambs for butchers' requirements. The main lambing in the bill country is now in full swing and, with the warmer conditions prevailing at present, the death rate should be more or less normal. Though there will always be a few iambs lost, where reasonable precautions are taken, the percentages should prove satisfactory. A comprehensive review ''of the position gives the impression that the lambing in North Otago will not be anywhere as good as it would have been had the elements been kinder to the sheep. Flocks wintered well, though the problem of feed caused many farmers to look forward rather apprehensively to trie lambing season. The problem of providing ample feed during the winter months proved a severe task. Speaking generally, the turnip crops, though slightly affected by blight, have been satisfactory, and proved a boon to those carrying large flocks through the winter months. The damp conditions, however, militated against feeding sheep or turnips, for, unless they were turned on to grass 'and for a spell, they suffered as a result of having to live on wet, muddy paddocks. The cold weather was also against the growth of vegetation, in some cases young grass being cut back to the ground. Still, the warm, sunny days of late have put a different complexion upon matters, and started young grass into vigorous growth, which in some sheltered places is already three or four inches long. General Review. Cattle also have been affected by the inclement conditions within the past, few months, the coldness of the weather among dairy cows prejudicing the flow of milk and its qualify. Prices at recent stock sales for all grades of cattle have been poor, but when the supply of luscious green food becomes abundant, the market may be expected to pick up again. A general review of the situation reveals that the extraordinarily wet season has prevented a considerable area of wheat from being sown, and the revenue from this source cannot be wholly made up by the purchase of extra sheep or growing other cereals. Also it appears that wool will command a lower rate than last year, while the decrease in lambing percentages will be a severe set-back to many settlers. Thus, taking all the factors into consideration, it behoves farmers and business people alike to exercise care, thought, and economy to bring the year out with is.,© reasonable degree of success.