LOWER PRODUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22009, 16 January 1935, Page 11

LOWER PRODUCTION

HERDS IN WAIKATO SHORT SEASON POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DRY SPELL [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Tuesda.v Figures taken out by the Te Awannitu Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, slioav that for the first two weeks of the present month the quantity of butter manufactured has decreased by 20 per cent, compared with the corresponding period last year, although the company is receiving supply from 800 additional cows. It is also disclosed that for the seven months ending December 31, the output at the factory showed a decrease of 8 per cent. In December the decrease was 10 per cent compared with the same month of the previous year. Comparisons 'made by other companies indicate • that the decrease in production is general throughout the Wuikato. At Cambridge there has been a decline of 8.3 per cent in butter and cheese output during December, as compared with that of the corresponding month the previous year. As To Awamutu and Cambridge have not felt the effect of the dry spell to the same extent as other districts, it is probable that -these figures fairly represent the minimum extent of the decrease.

In localities where tho pastures have been only recently established, or the majority of the grazing is on hilly country, the productive capacity of individual herds has declined to a startling degree. In some cases the output is down to a half of what it is normally at this period of the season. One farmer in the Raglan district states that he is obtaining only one-third of the amount of butter-fat usual at this time of the year, but this is admittedly an extreme case. Stock Placed in Swamp Areas

One of the effects of the prolonged spell is that a stranger travelling through the Waikato might wonder whether all the farmers had suddenly decided to sell their stock. From the road very few cattle or sheep are to be seen, and they are mostly sheltering in the shade. The explanation of the apparent absence of stock is that they have been taken from their usual grazing paddocks and placed in the swamp areas found on many Waikato farms.

By anticipating a long spell of dry weather some farmers have reduced its effects upon their stock to a minimum. They have provided ample supplies of soft turnips, maize and lucerne. These are fed out regularly and the cows are thriving, even though the pastures are almost devoid of green vegetation. Cows which have benefited in this manner will continue to give a satisfactory yield of milk until later in the season than others in less favoured circumstances.

It is recalled that there was a somewhat similar season four years ago, although the lack of rain was not so marked. Rains came in February after a dry December and January, and the output in some districts was almost equal to the flush month of November. Such an autumn recovery, induced by long and warm rains late in .the season, has been fairly common in the Waikato. However, as far as the present season is concerned the dry weather has now lasted so long that the recovery could not compensate for the decreases already recorded. Natural Quota Effected

The extent of the decrease is now so marked that many farmers are beginning to speculate on its effect upon the London market. Over the last three years producers have looked to increased production to offset the reduced returns, and the natural quota effected by the existing dry weather seems to indicate that a rise in price will follow the decreased supply. One feature of the dry spell that is worrying many farmers is the fact that in many districts ensilage and hav are being fed out, and unless there is a good secondary growth of grass in the near future the winter supplies will be depleted. If. however, » long period of wet weather comes within the next month or six weeks, it will be possible to replenish supplies of fodder as late as March and April.