SHORTAGE OF FEED

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 72, 21 September 1935, Page 15

SHORTAGE OF FEED

SOUTHLAND DAIRY FARMS

DEPLETION OF HERDS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, September 20,

Dairy farmers in Southland are experiencing tragic . times. Extreme shortage of feed appears to be the sole cause of the trouble, and herds, it is reported, are being depleted to an alarming extent. Varying opinions are given as to the number of cows that have died, and it would be safe to name 600 as the minimum.

It has been an extraordinary year for Southland. Probably there has never been another such summer for forty years; pastures were burnt up, turnip- crops were poorer than for a very long time, and there was very little hay saved for winter fodder. The result was that cows were in low condition at the beginning of the winter, which, although not bad for sheep, proved very severe for cattle. There were hard frosts in July, a rough spell in August and early September, followed again by the frosts of the last week or two which have kept back spring growth. Rains during the last few days should have good results, but they have come too late to help the cattle.

No disease of any seriousness has been reported. In fact, all stock have been very healthy, and the extraordinary mortality can be accounted for only by the abnormal season.

Mr. A. J. Boyd, president of the Southland branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, states that numerous complaints have been received throughout the province during the past few weeks regarding starving stock. This position was due in great measure to the shortage of feed caused through late frosts, & state of affairs which, as far as he knew, liad not occurred in Southland before. The society appeals to stock-owners to assist it in this matter by mercifully destroying stock which have no chance of surviving. "While the'"society recognises its responsibility," Mr. Boyd added, "it does not wish to prosecute owners, as ■it realises that they are doing everything possible in the circumstances for the welfare' of . their I stock." . . .■/...