RAIN NEEDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23507, 18 November 1939, Page 12

RAIN NEEDED

WAIKATO DAIRIY FARMS PASTURE GROWTH CHECKED EFFECT ON PRODUCTION [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Friday Unless there is a heavy fall of rain in the near future, Waikato dairy farmers are likely to bo faced with a feed shortage in the coming months. In the past six weeks about 3in. of rain have fallen, while the rainfall for the first 17 days in November totalled only .68in. Cold, drying winds have had the effect of nullifying the benefit of what rain has been experienced. ; September was a fairly wet| month and as a result growth came away rapidly. Hopes were held that this growth would be maintained, but the dry weather experienced lately has had tho effect of checking pastures. It was stated by a prominent Waikato dairying authority that, although recent production figures might show an output equal to that of the previous season, there would have been a considerable increase in production had normal rainfall been experienced.

This authority stated that, although there had been a genuine attempt on the part of farmers to increase production to meet war conditions by additional spring top-dressing, their efforts had been largely frustrated by the unfavourable climatic conditions. The additional fertilisers had not given the result expected. One serious aspect of the shortage of rain is that hay crops are likely to be very light, as pastures run to seed very quickly when there is insufficient moisture. Unless provision can be made for an ample supply of "winter fodder, the 1940-41 dairying season is bound to be adversely affected.