FARMING IN THE SOUTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21529, 29 December 1931, Page 2

FARMING IN THE SOUTH

A BENEFICIAL RAIN PASTURES IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. Mid-season in the southern portion of the Otago province- provides the farmer this year with cause for satisfaction. Market conditions leave much to be desired, and it is an unquestionable fact that among the rural portion of the population the depression is being felt with increasing severity—to such an extent indeed that doubts are being widely expressed as to the ability of many farmers to carry on over another year without some direct or definite help from the Government. But, despite the most gloomy prophecies, the hand of Nature this year in the district referred to has been very bountiful. Scarcely anything more beautiful in its own way could be imagined than the prospect which meets the eye on every hand as one travels the country roads. Except upon the lighter lands little trace is to be seen of the prolonged period of dry weather wdiich has just been experienced, and it would appear that the heavy rams of the past week have arrived in time to prevent very considerable damage either to crops or pasture. The area sown in ; cereals this year seenis only to be sufficient.to ipeet the feeding requirements of farmers, and the .acreage in wheat is particularly small. (Jenerally speaking, the colour of tife crops is good and, although the lack of rain has hindered growth to a certain extent, it is anticipated that the thorough soaking which the soil has received will result in a rapid increase in length before shooting. _ A good many late sown oat crops are in evidence, and it is probable that the harvest this season will.be later than usual, although, given good growing conditions from now on, this may not turn out to be the case. The area in turnips also does not appear to be as large aa usual, and, in fact, the area under cultivation this year is in most districts less, due no doubt to the reluctance of the average farmer to incur more expense than is absolutely necessary in conducting the season’s operations. To counterbalance this, however, it' is noticeable that efforts are being made to obtain a greater return from the land which has been devoted to providing winter feed, and on every hand it is impossible to avoid noticing the great increase in the percentage which has been sown with the ridger. As yet jt is too earlv definitely to say. that a good strike has-been obtained, and in the case of late turnips it is probable that the heavy rain recently will have the effort of caking the ground and making necessary the resolving of some areas. In the main, however, the rain arrived just when it was most needed, and with the warmth which is in the ground growth should now be particularly rapid. Arable farming is becoming increasingly of less importance in South Otago, with a corresponding increase in the attention given to the care of the pastures. _ Liming and top-dressing are having their effect in almost every district south of Dunedin, with the result that paddocks and the flocks grazing upon them present a perfect picture. Considering the scarcity of rain, the condition of grassland is remarkable. The growth of white clover is particularly abundant, and the effect of this is to be seen upon both ewes and lambs. Unlike last year, when an abnormal rainfall during the early season pro’dueed a growth that was soft and of little food value, the grass this year is firm and rich in nourishment. Consequently lambs are thriving well, and the increased lambing percentages of the spring should be accompanied by an increase in the quality of; the carcass. Freezing buyers will commence operations within a fortnight’s time, and it would seem that first drafts will be large. Farmers in some cages are reporting that already they have a number of fat lambs on the grass, auguring well for an increase in the number of lambs to go fat off the mothers. A good deal of shearing still remains to be done on country where the early biddybid causes the farmer little concern. In this respect it is apparent that the machines are gaining in popularity, the increased speed of shearing with a resultant lowering of shearing cosJ,s evidently accounting for this at a time when every economy has to be considered. Mile after mile of travel along the country roads reveals the same conditions. Stock, both young and old, is showing the bloom which one associates with the best of seasons, and, if the economic position precludes the possibility of large financial returns, the fanners in the south may at least congratulate themselves that the season has been kind to them, and_ that they have availed themselves to the fullest extent of the opportunity which Nature has this year placed within their grasp.