AUSTRALIAN QUEST FOR FODDER

Southland Times, Issue 25680, 24 May 1945, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN QUEST FOR FODDER

Position In New Zealand (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 23. The announcement that two Australian Commonwealth experts are coming to New Zealand this week to buy fodder to ease the shortage of stock food caused in Australia by the drought was referred to by an officer of the Department of Agriculture. New Zealand itself was facing a shortage of grain, and there seemed no prospect o-' any barley, oats or wheat being available for export, he said. There might be some hay, but it was unlikely that the quantity would be anything like that required by Australia. He recalled that early this year Mr J. N. Whittet, c.grostologist to the New South Wales Department of Agriculture, spent some time in the Dominion investigating the hay resources. At that time there were indications of a big surplus, but much of the hay was subsequently ruined by heavy rain. One shipment of several hundred tons was dispatched, but never reached Australia. Spontaneous combustion occurred in the hold of the transporting vessel during the voyage, and it had to put back to port. The hay was destroyed by fire and water. Any hay now available would be in better condition for shipment. However, there was. comparatively little hay produced in New Zealand for wintering dairy cattle, for which purpose it was required in Australia. Most New Zealand hay was produced for consumption by store cattle, and was not of good enough quality for milking stock. 1