GOOD HAY CROPS BEING HARVESTED ON MOST FARMS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 78, 19 December 1949, Page 5

GOOD HAY CROPS BEING HARVESTED ON MOST FARMS

Excellent crops of both hay and silage are expected from farmers in the district around Whakatane and large quantities of the -winter food are now going up in stacks and barns on almost every farm. Haymaking is now in full swing after a start a month ago and many farmers who have been engaged in this work have expressed satisfaction at the crops.

Conditions Favourable t Conditions rarely have been so favourable for pasture growth, and fields shut up for hay have been ready for harvesting earlier than usual. Rain during the past two week-ends has caused extra work for those with hay down, but generally the countryside has benefited further.

A few heavy showers may have had a detrimental effect on grass ready to cut. Many farmers have found it difficult to cope with the flush of feed resuting in an unusually animated demand for store cattle. More modern harvesting machinery is now being used by farmers, and this is making a much more efficient business of harvesting. A greater quantity of hay is expected to be baled this season, and probably there will be an increasing tendency /on the part of farmers to avail themselves of the services of harvesting contractors, A Good Season Commenting on this year’s hay crops the fields instructor at Whakatane, Mr E. R. Marryatt, said that it is one of the best seasons experienced for both hay and silage for some years. While he could not indicate whether there would be record crops he said that the amount of feed being saved was more than normal.

Harvesting by many farmers had commenced earlier this year, he pointed out, and this was producing better hay and silage and also allowing the paddocks more time to< recover from cutting.