SEVERE WINTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 191, 14 August 1931, Page 10

SEVERE WINTER

EXPERIENCES IN WAIKATO. j STOCK AND GRASS SUPPER. HAMILTON, Aug. 12. > It is many years since the Waikato has experienced such severe weather conditions as have prevailed during the last few months. Mortality among calves and lambs has been unusually high, and mature cattle in southern areas of the Waikato have suffered severely. Mr Dynes Fulton, chairman of directors of the New Zealand Uo-operative Dairy Company, Limited, stated to-day that the winter had been a hard one j and one of the worst that had been experienced for many years. The cold weather, ho said, set in early in May with exceptionally heavy frosts and cold rains. Since the rain ceased last week there had been a series of severe frosts, and the growth that was expected after the wet period was checked. Continuing, Mr Fulton said there was an abundance of grass on well-drained and sheltered lands. This showed that j with continuous top-dressing of pastures, reasonable climatic conditions and adequate shelter, Waikato grasslands could make a good growth of grass during the winter months. The experience of this winter had demonstrated that there was insufficient shelter on many Waikato farms.