FARMERS WANT RAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20954, 6 November 1939, Page 6

FARMERS WANT RAIN

URGENT NEED IN WAIKATO THREAT TO PRODUCTION EFFECT ON HAY CROPS Although the Waikato countryside bears evidence of abundant stock feed, farmers actually are anxiously awaiting rain. One dairying authority said this morning that the need for rain was becoming urgent throughout the district. If conditions continued dry for much longer there would be a distinct threat to dairy production in the Waikato. The cold winds of last week, apart from their adverse effect on the stock, provided a greater check to pasture growth than a week of hot, dry weather. Although ensilage making has already begun on some properties, later crops may be lighter, while if rain is not experienced shortly hay crops will suffer both in regard to quantity and quality. A period of dry weather at this time of the year will have the effect of forcing the grass to seed earlier, and the crop will naturally not be so nutritious. Lighter ensilage and hay crops would have a serious effect on Waikato production, particularly if feed is short during the autumn. . . Only 12in. of ram have been recorded in Hamilton to date this month, while lor last month the fall was only .62in„ compared with the average over 21 years of 4.52in. In Hamilton yesterday the temperature ot 76 degrees was the highest recorded this summer.