FARMS SHORT OF WATER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22027, 6 February 1935, Page 12

FARMS SHORT OF WATER

dry spell at gisborne adverse effect on stock [by telegraph—own correspondent] GISBORNE, Tuesday Water is becoming scarce on a number of farms in the Gisborne district, pastures are rapidly becoming parched and supplies of winter feed are being drawn on. This position applies mainly to the flats and the coastal strip to the north. The back country is more fortunate, as streams are still running well and there is sufficient feed for requirements. In the lowef country many of the streams havo dried up, and in 35 miles between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay only one stream, the Pakarac, has a j'ow of water. Some farmers on the flats are driving their herds daily to the Waipaoa River for water. The feed position is not yet acute in tho Gisborne district, but if the dry spell lasts much longer a serious position may develop. Drovers on »anie routes are experiencing difficulty in securing , water owing to the streams drying up, and on tho road between Gisborne and Tolaga Bay recently a number of dead sheep were noticed, death being tho result of the dry period. Dairy production is declining rapidly. The freezing works at Kaiti are becoming busier as a result of the dry spell, for farmers are getting away as much fat stock as possible. Many of the lambs and sheep are only lightly finished. Cattle are coming forward much earlier than usual.