PRODUCTION DOWN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 5, 7 January 1944, Page 4

PRODUCTION DOWN

YIELD FROM DAIRY HERDS CONCERN IN TARANAKI Consequent on the prolonged spell of dry weather in the Wanganui district production from dairy herds is considerably down on previous years. Dairy factories and milk distributors report a marked decline in supplies. The opinion is expressed that thv season is too far adavanced for any appreciable rise in production in the event of wet weather. In the Taranaki district, however, serious concern is being felt by farmers at the decline in butterfat, production. Pastures are becoming more parched and wells, tanks and smaller creeks are drying up. Not since the Christmas and New Year period of 1935-36 has Taranaki experienced such a long period without any appreciable quantity of rain. Four representative cheese factories in Central and South Taranaki estimate that their supply of milk is decreasing at the rate of 100 gallons a day, and factories in the coastal areas, where the soil is lighter and rain is needed more frequently, are suffering an even more serious decline. In many parts of the province wells and tanks are dry and farmers are carrying water from the factories. Although there is vey little food for sheep in the dry pastures, sheep farmers do not consider the drought is yet very serious, although the ultimate result will probably be a decline in the number of fat lamibs and store lambs placed on the market and a resultant rise in price. If the present lack of growth is followed by a. flush feed in the autumn there is also a possibility that there may be an outbreak of facial eczema among flocks. Despite its disadvantages, the long period without rain has been ideal for harvesting, and the opinion was expressed recently that more good hay had been saved this year than for a considerable time. Late crops, however, will probably be fairly light, with little bottom, for thei’e has been very poor growth within the last three or four weeks. There is also very little second growth for autumn feeding in pad docks where hay has been cut.