ACTION ESSENTIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 752, 4 May 1933, Page 18

ACTION ESSENTIAL.

Feed Problem Serious in Canterbury. PROGRESS LEAGUE MOVES. The view that concerted action was needed to overcome the serious problem facing Canterbury farmers of providing sufficient feed for their stock was expressed by Mr G. H. Holford in an address to the executive of the Canterbury Progress League last evening. The league referred the question to the Irrigation Committee for investigation. Mr Holford said that not in the , memory of farmers was the question ; of providing feed for their stock as serious as it was to-day. In Canterbury there were eight million acres and three million of them were on the plains. Farmers always had to face a dry autumn. Turnips had been devastated by the diamond-back moth and there was insufficient hay and fodder for the stock. Autumns appeared to be getting drier each year. Although the turnip crops had failed, farmers still went on growing them. He believed that the Progress League should do something to investigate the feed question in Canterbury. Because of the fear of dry seasons farms were not fully stocked, with the result that a potential loss was going on. In lambs alone the loss last year was £150,000 owing to the dry weather. Credit was due to Lincoln College and particularly Professor Alexander, foi the investigations that had been carried out. but more concerted action was needed. Farmers’ Union Action.

At a meeting of the executive of the North Canterbury district of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union last week, Agriculture Committee was asked to go into the matter of winter feed prospects and cereal feeding, in collaboration with Mr M. J. Scott, of Lincoln College, for the purpose of preparing a leaflet for circulation. The committee met yesterday and had a full discussion on the matter with Mr Scott, but in view of the fact that Lincoln College already has in hand the preparation of a bulletin on the subject for issue by the Chamber of Commerce, it was decided not to prepare a separate leaflet, but to ask that the chamber’s bulletin be made available as early as possible. On inquiry being made, it was learned that the bulletin would be issued about the middle of this month. In order that information may be readily available to farmers on this very important subject, Mr Scott offered to address meetings at suitable centres. This offer was much appreciated the committee and arrangements are being made for several meetings to be held in the near future.