FARMING IN NORTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24506, 15 January 1941, Page 11

FARMING IN NORTH OTAGO

PASTURES DRYING MORE RAIN WANTED (Contributed) .We are always wanting something. Now we want more rain. The Christmas rains were disappointing, though we had rain one day when our neighbour, South Canterbury, had none. When I say the Christmas rains were disappointing I mean, of course, to farmers; townspeople did not want rain; neither did holidaymakers, but we did on the farms. During the month of .December we had barely an inch and a-half of rain, whereas we usually get that quantity during the holiday period alone. However, we were very grateful for what we did get, and for rape, turnips, swedes, and mangels it was especially welcome. These crops were languishing for lack of moisture, and now they have taken on a new lease of life. With all such crops the leaves act as a catchment area, and run the water to the roots so that after only a few hours' rain a very noticeable difference is apparent. The Pastures The pastures have dried alarmingly during the past month, and while there is still a bit of roughage, green, succulent feed is at a premium. Certainly the rain freshened them up for a few days, but hot, scorching winds soon evaporated this moisture, and now, to do any good, two to two and a-half inches of rain is needed. Showers are all right for green crops, but are of very little good once the pastures are thoroughly baked and dry. Wheat The wheat crops,are looking surprisingly well. Wheat is a deep-root-ing plant, and can stand much drier conditions than most other crops. At least that appears to be ■ the position. The wheat in North Otago received a good.start last winter and spring, and the showers since it was put in have just been right to keep it going. With a few. more showers during the present month there should be some good yields. In the Totara, Kakanui, and Enfield districts there are some splendid-looking crops. More rain has fallen in these places than in other parts of the district, and this has suited the wheat well. Wheat is already beginning to turn colour, and, judging by present appearances, the harvest should be even earlier than it was last year. Oats Oats are to be seen in stook. Generally, they are very short and light. In fact, it is most exceptional to see a good heavy crop. Spring-sown oats, which were not fed-off, are looking a good healthy green, and, with average weather from now on, should yield well. It is a few years now since we had a bumper oat crop. Grass Seed Grass is now being cut, and, although many farmers had intended to close up for seed much larger areas than were actually closed, the feed shortage necessitated stock being turned into many fields which otherwise would have been allowed to go for a crop of seed. The result is that there is nothing like the acreage we thought we would have. ttfSood certified seed has been so dear during the past few years that many farmers thought they would grow their own. Added to this, owing to the war. there is now an export demand. In the Hakataramea Valley, which geographically is in South Canterbury but in every other Way is in North Otago, some excellent crops can be seen. The Lambs Lambs have been fattening well. The drafts which went to the works before Christmas were good weights and mostly primes. But the past fortnight has told a tale, and. if I am any judge, drafting instructions will be: "Everything that will kill." A fat lamb at 20s, off the mother, is a better proposition than the same lamb crutched, dipped and put on feed, and sold at 24s after about six weeks. There are not the usual good crops of rape about this year, and, although the white butterfly is conspicuous by its absence, the diamond back moth will be showing up very soon; and we all know how quickly it can decimate a crop. By some it is said that the dreaded diamond back moth is even worse than the white, butterfly. I know that we are unanimous in passing a very hearty vote of thanks to the Department of Agriculture or whoever was responsible for eliminating the white butterfly. In some of the drier parts of the district, especially about Otiake, Otekaike and Duntroon, skinless barley, both black and white,,is grown for lamb fattening. The ground is' prepared exactly as for turnips and the barley is sown from the middle of January onwards. In good growing seasons it is ready for . feeding off in a few weeks, and in dry seasons lambs fatten splendidly on it. It will not fatten nearly so many as a good crop of blight-free rape, but it will fatten a great many more than a poor or blighty crop of rape. As it is immune from aphis, white butterfly. etc.. it is worth considering in a season such as the present one. ' Certified Italian ryegrass is another crop which has no pests; and for this reason it, too, is worth considering. Many farmers sow this much too late —March and April. To get the most out of it, the seed should be sown m January to the first week in February, on well-prepared soil. The ground should be well rolled before sowing, and the best results are obtained by drilling in all coulters with manure. Good results can be obtained in a wet season by sowing broadcast, but it will come away much quicker in a dry season if it is drilled in. Much less seed is required when drilling than when broadcasting. Mangels Mangels are growing in spite of drought, and the bright green splashes of these crops are a welcome sight amid the greys and browns of driedout pastures. The Stock Market Very little business is passing on the stock market. There is not usually much at this period of the year. A few forward sales of lambs have been made at prices ranging from 15s to 225. The last-named price an area of rape. . Fat ewes have declined in price, but fat cattle are still selling well. If dry weather continues an enormous number of store lambs is sure to come on the market, and, in that case, a drop in price may be expected But a good' rain will bring on the rape, of which a large area is sown. The reverse of large yardings of store lambs could quite easily happen; it all depends on the rain. The past week has played havoc with the pastures and rape crops. The former are burnt out completely, and rape i s ripening off prematurely, and will provide very little feed, although what there is Will be very nutritious and fattening. Unless rain comes soon there is great danger of a collapse in the store sheep market, Big drafts of lambs are going away, which will help to relieve the situation, but there is no gainsaying the fact, the position is g*.ve.