PIG PRODUCTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 26 August 1939, Page 11

PIG PRODUCTION

NEW SEASON'S PROSPECTS GOOD PASTURE GROWTH » . ABSENSE OF DISEASE SHEEP AND DAIRY FARMS Gisborne district farmers on both sheep and dairying country are preparing for a big season in the production of all types of produce. Although the spring has been a tardy one, the growth is now coming away, following the light though beneficial rain early in the week and the warm, sunny conditions towards the close. The growth so far, however, has not reached a big flush. The country is now in <f condition that should encourage the maximum growth when sufficient rain falls. It has been eaten bare of all roughage, and weeds have been cleaned out by the hungry stock, leaving clean pastures that should provide ample feed.

Sheep and dairy cattle are in good condition in most parts of the district, and so far there has been an entire absence of disease. In such condition, they should respond well to the growth which is now coming away.

Unfortunately, station cattle are very low in condition, and mortality from malnutrition is reported from various parts of the district, while in the Wairoa district some of the dairy herds have had insufficient food to keep them alive. Wool in Good Order

Despite the rigorous conditions in July, a heavy wool clip is expected this season. There was sufficient feed for the sheep throughout the winter in most parts of the district, and the sheep came through very well indeed, hoggets being in particularly good condition. Some stud ram hoggets shorn -recently clipped out very satisfactorily, the -wool ibeing well grown and attractive, and while this is no indication of what the main clip of the district will be it suggests that in well sheltered situations, at least, wool growers should have no complaints. A Dunedin correspondent states that, despite the fact that runholders are not yet able to estimate stock losses as a result of the snow, although they know them to be severe, inquiries for shearers are already being made. Late Dairy Season

The Gisborne district dairying season was somewhat late in starting, and because of a lack of growth during the early part of August there was no help to production, while many of the herds were later calving than usual. However, the' supply is coming up -rapidly now, and dairy farmers are looking forward to recovering from the disastrous season last summer.