WINTER IN OTAGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23088, 13 July 1938, Page 12

WINTER IN OTAGO

GOOD SEASON FOR STOCK SHEEP LOSSES SMALL SUFFICIENCY OF FEED [by telegraph OWN correspondent] DUNEDIN, Tuesday Central Otago has met the rigours of a typical winter season very favourably on the whole. In spite of the severe conditions obtaining generally, livestock appears to be in excellent heart. Ewe flocks are in good condition and. although there is footrot on some of the irrigation settlements, this has not been unexpected. The trouble has not been as serious this year as has beeu the case in previous seasons. Seed conditions are good in most districts, and the outlook for the remaining winter period is fairly bright. Sheep losses on high country stations have been negligible. On nearly all runs stock were got down to winter paddocks before the recent heavy snowfalls began Falls of snow were experienced on Saturday and Sunday in some districts and it is probable that sheep making back to high country are in snow at the present time, but it is not anticipated that there will be any appreciable losses this season. Feed throughout Central Otago is good. The majority of farmers have not yet made any serious inroads into their supplies of winter hay. Autumn-sown barley in Lake County has made vigorous growth and in many instances growers have had to resort to grazing to check crops back sufficiently. Taieri district is generally well off for winter feed and should see August out very satisfactorily. Throughout Manitoto County there is a sufficiency of useful grazing without any abundance.