CENTRAL OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27388, 13 May 1950, Page 4

CENTRAL OTAGO

The Farm

Drought Conditions Prevail AUTUMN SOWING IMPEDED The prolonged drought continues throughout Central Otago, and is seriously affecting sowings of autumn crops and pastures. Ploughing almost impossible in many areas, and fodder crops for winter and spring use have made little growth. Oraz ing is scarce' and in some districts sheep will go into the winter m poor condition. During the past two seasons there has been a decided swing away from seed production in Central Otago to grazing and the growing of barley and a little wheat and oats, all of which are usually sown in the autumn. This season seedlings which have been made in fallowed land have germinated and made a little growth, but hundreds of acres which were worked up late have either not been sown down, or have not germinated because of the dry conditions. An even larger area has not been worked up because ploughing has been impossible. Some farmers have worked their land with heavy discs and rollers to crush the clods, but the resultant seed-bed has been too dry for sowing. Much land required for spring sowing remains unworked and frosts may make winter working impossible. The dry conditions extend from Wanaka right down through Cromwell, Alexandra and Ranfurly to Palmerston. In the Maniototo area, and towards Palmerston, where fairly large areas of swedes and turnips are orown for fodder, these crops are pitifully stunted and patchy and it is doubtful if they will be of much value even should rain fall in the near future. _ , , Pastures have suffered severely and irrigated paddocks are looking bare because they have had to carry additional stock. Late cuts of lucerne for hay have been very light. Many farmers have stated that they will have to buy in considerable quantities of hay for winter feed, even though they have reduced the numbers of their sheep. Brassica crops for seed, which were sown on fallowed ground, have germinated well, but have made little growth, and losses are expected to be heavy when the frosts begin. The season is generally acknowledged to be the driest for over 20 years.