NOTES AND NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17773, 8 October 1927, Page 13

NOTES AND NEWS

NEW SEASON’S PROSPECTS. Work on farm and station is proceeding satisfactorily, and the indications point to a moderately successful year, the only fly now in the ointment being the high cost of production. . It. was confidently predicted, in July, that we were going to have an early spring; and the prediction seemed to be fully justified. But the unexpected happened, as it so often does, and after growth had started frosts came and cut it back, •thereby making the spring late, instead of early. Even now, feed is not plentiful, though it is usually in good supply in October. Most farmers prefer to see the spring come in at the normal time, as when growth starts too early there is always a danger that it will be cut back by late frosts, and when that happens it takes longer to make a second start than if it had commenced at the usual time. Lambing promises well on downcountry holdings this year, and the rapidly-growing cereal crops are providing a lot of succulent feed for the ewes. In the high country lambing has scarcely started yet. The indications are that both wool and meat will sell well this season. It is predicted that lamb will open at 9d per pound. Some sales of lambs are being made forward, but most growers prefer to retain possession until their lambs are ready to be sent off the farm. The dairying season has now opened, and it is satisfactory to be able to say that here, too, satisfactory returns are promised.