TEMUKA DECLINE IN DAIRY PRODUCTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22785, 8 January 1944, Page 3

TEMUKA DECLINE IN DAIRY PRODUCTION

Not So Badly Affected As Other Farming

Good Autumn Growth Needed

Although dairy production is falling off with the dry weather, the dairying Industry in the Temuka district has not been so seriously affected by the adverse weather conditions as other forms of farming, and, if sufficient rain comes within the next week or so, good autumn growth will result and a good “back-end” to the season can be expected.

Owing to the wet spring and the cold temperatures experienced in the earlier part of the season, production will be down on last year. The season experienced has affected different classes of land in varying degrees. The lighter lands experienced good production until the advent of the hot dry weather previous to Christmas. The heavier classes of land, which includes the area serving the local cheese factories, were particularly slow in developing full spring production. Dairy farms in the Milford and Clandeboye areas have held up well till the present time, but are now showing signs of falling off. In some cases where it was difficult to find a dry place to feed the cows during the winter, the sodden nature of the paddocks resulted in the ground turning as hard as concrete when the dry weather came, thus retarding growth. Owing to the wet spring, a larger proportion than usual of cows amongst local herds suffered from hard quarters, with a consequent loss of production, but generally herds are in good condition at present. There has been a steady improvement over the last few years in the conditions ruling in the dairies and tills is reflected in the improved quality of the cheese for export. Practically all factories in South Canterbury are grading high this season, and it is anticipated that the average grade of cheese in the district will be again classed as “finest,” which is 93 points or more. In spite of the adverse dry conditions at the present time, hay crops generally are good. The ample rainfall in the spring gave the pastures the growth necessary for good crops of nay. Ordinary pastures are now parched, but conditions for hay-making are ideal, and for the last two or three weeks most farmers have been busy. This will result in good stocks of hay being available for winter feed and will, to a certain extent, relieve the position caused by the prospect of the failure of the root and rape crops, as far as the dairy farmer is concerned at least. Hay-making to-day is being rapidly mechanised and much of the hard work entailed in the erecting of stacks is being avoided by the use of up-to-date machinery. This ranges from the use of hay sweeps, stackers and elevators to the pick-up hay presser, which picks up the loose hay and presses it. The only operation done manually is the tying of the wire around the pressed bale. Water Shortage Threatened An inspection of the intake of the high pressure water service for Temuka was made by the Works Foreman (Mr T. Devine) yesterday morning. While the level of the water at the intake at Orari was practically normal, the springs and the river in the vicinity of the intake were very much lower than usual, which indicates that care will have to be taken to conserve the supply. The prolonged dry spell has considerably increased the need for water for gardens and practically every garden hose in the borough has been in full use during the last few weeks. This has caused some inconvenience to householders through the water pressure being insufficient to fill hot-water cylinders. Interviewed yesterday, the Mayor of Temuka (Mr W. H. McMillan) said that every endeavour would be made to avoid Imposing complete restriction on the use of the hose for watering gardens and lawns, but it was obvious that householders' ordinary domestic supply must be maintained. A number of complaints had been received about the failure of hot water services through the low pressure in the pipes and it had now been found necessary to prohibit the practice of keeping garden hose running all night. “It is necessary to point out,” said Mr McMillan, “that every tap should be turned off immediately the fire bell is rung as it is only if this is done that the firemen can obtain sufficient pressure to deal with any outbreak of fire.” Soldier and Nurse Welcomed Sister M. S. Atkinson, who has been serving with the New Zealand Nursing Division in Egypt, and Sergeant J. L. Austin, who recently escaped from a prison camp in Italy, arrived in Temuka this morning by the first express. They were welcomed at the station by the Mayor (Mr W. H. McMillan), Mr G. Harris, representing the Temuka R.S.A., and by the chairman of the Temuka Soldiers’ Entertainment Committee (Mr J. B. Davis). Sister Atkinson, who is the daughter of Mr and Mrs A. G. Maister, Birkett Street, was married in the Middle East, where her husband is still serving. Sergeant Austin is the son of Mrs C. L. Austin, Park Gate.”