MIDDLEMARCH NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20906, 21 December 1929, Page 20

MIDDLEMARCH NOTES.

(Irom Our Ows Correspondent.) MIDDLLMARCH, December 20. FARMING INTERESTS. Notwithstanding the extremely cold weather, which has been experienced during the last few days, and with the Rock and Pillar again capped with suow, the district is looking remarkably well. 1 lie rainfall has been abundant, with the result that grain crops arc assured a pood yield, while a. large area of turnips W ready thinned, and it is an-

parent taht more hand thinning is being undertaken than has been done for quite a number of years. With-the continued wet weather shearing is being considerably retarded, and there are a number of sheds which cannot possibly cut out until well into January. For the same reason lucerne harvesting is not so far advanced, although a few growers have been fortunate in' securing their first cut. The lucerne crops arc very heavy, and there fa no doubt regarding the advantage of growing this, as the farmer who grows lucerne is never short of winter feed. With the bright prospects regarding feed and crops, it is a matter of regret that the price prospects are far from reassuring. With the exception of cattle, everything else is on the down grade. At this time last year thousands of lambs were purchased at speculation prices. So far, this season, no movement has been reported in that direction. One wonders how far the Meat Producers’ Board cau go to prevent the slump which is apparent in both lamb and mutton.