CONDITIONS IN OTAGO

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1930, Page 2

CONDITIONS IN OTAGO

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRY SPELL.

DUNEDIN, April 3

Stock pasturage and crops of turnips and rape in the country districts have suffered badly as a result of the continued dry spell'in the past few months, and, unless there is a good rainfall before the winter sets in, tlie prospects for many farmers will not be very bright. Stock sales throughout the province have been considerably depressed by the threatened and, in some oase9, actual shortage of h'>d and turnips. Pastures needed for whiter feed have shown but little growth. Following the drop in wool prices the present state of affairs is causing great concern in very many cases. t ,

The North Otago district is not noted for a very generous rainfall in. ordinary times, but during January, | February and March the position was worse than it lias been for some, jours., j An Dimtroou, for instance, a total of ! 4.09 inches of rain was recorded for the first three months of this year compared with 7,82 inches for the corresponding quarter of 1929. Turnips and rape crops in the district are vCI y j light, making the prospects for winter feeding of stock serious. A decline in prices has been reported ’at most of the stock sales in die district, chiefly due to the dry weather and the lack of freezing space. Cull lambs and ewes have been sold for prices which, in some cases,, were ncailv ten • shillings less than in normal

times. From .Central Otago, the Taieri and the districts immediately north of Dunedin, reports of a similar nature are heard. The sale of a line of cull iambs in Central Otago is reported at several shillings per head, the owner being forced to. dispose of them -Curing to shortage of feed. Crops of winter fc-ed in these places are also very turn. A continuation of the rain at present falling, though it is light, will be greatly welcomed in all country districts, .