FARMING CONDITIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1943, Page 2

FARMING CONDITIONS

WORST SEASON KNOWN IN WAIRARAPA EFFECTS OF DROUGHT LOSSES OF DAIRY & BEEF CATTLE LAMBING PERCENTAGES DOWN The worst season in the history of farming in the Wairarapa is how one well-known farmer describes the conditions ruling in the district this year. As to the future, much depends on whether a good growing season is experienced or not. Another drought would be disastrous. Losses of stock in some cases have been fairly heavy. The losses are due, especially in the case of cattle, to the autumn drought and a lack of winter feed. Lambing percentages are not nearly as good as usual and there has been ‘considerable mortality among lambs in some properties. In addition, it is expected that the coming season’s wool Clip will be decidedly lighter than the average. NO WINTER FEED The drought experienced in the district in the autumn effectively checked any growth in the pastures, on which the farmers were depending for their winter feed. In consequence of this lack of feed, many cattle have been sent to other districts, but a great number of farmers could not secure grazing at any price. The effect of these conditions has been that a greater number of cattle than usual have been put through the freezing works as boners. These have included thousands of weaner calves which under normal conditions are held over. Big losses have been recorded among some dairy herds, as well as among beef cattle. Cattle have come through the winter in very poor condition and in many cases cows have died after calving. On the other hand, beef cattle breeders who normally suffer no losses have this season lost a number of stock. These conditions are reflected in butter and cheese production, which has shown, in comparison with the position in earlier seasons at the corresponding date, a substantial reduction. These losses have brought about a shortage of cattle, which will become more pronounced as the season advances and already, at spring sales, the prices for cattle are high. The district experienced the longest spell of dry weather, following the earthquake of last year until June of this year, it has ever had. In addition, drying winds almost throughout that period accentuated the conditions. LAMB LOSSES The heavy rain which fell on more than one occasion in September has caused a fair amount of mortality among lambs and in some cases numbers of ewes have been lost. In most instances, the ewes came through the winter fairly well and much better than was expected and now that spring feed is coming away their condition is improving. On certain farms, however, the ewes, in most cases due to overstocking, are in poor condition. There seems to be no doubt that the lambing .percentages this season in the Wairarapa are below the average. One farmer puts them at between 10 and 20 per cent lower. The greatest losses of lambs are reported on farms which have insufficient shelter. Farmers, it is pointed out, would be well advised to provide adequate shelter for their stock. As a case in point, one farmer who has good shelter has had very light losses of lambs, while his neighbours on either side, who have inadequate shelter, have both suffered fairly heavy losses. The general conditions ruling in the district have affected the growth of wool and it is expected that this season’s clip will be much lighter than usual. CROPPING DIFFICULTIES The dry autumn has also been disastrous for newly-sown pastures. As a case in point, two farmers in one district who had sown 10 and 12 acres respectively in grass, at a cost of £3 to £4 per acre, had to plough up the areas and resow them. Wheat production is likely to be affected. Some farmers who managed to sow wheat last month now find their seed half drowned out and are now uncertain whether to resow or grow something else. Another farmer who usually sows his wheat in the first few days of September was unable this year to sow it before September 28. Lands which are of clay formation or are inclined to hold water, have been in bad condition this month and sowing in these cases has been seriously delayed. There appears to be every likelihood of a decrease in wheat production. A shortage of fertiliser is also addir.g to the farmers’ difficulties. Many farmers have doubts as to whether serpentine super is as good as the straightout super. The average farmer, it is stated, thinks that serpentine is not as good. Formerly, where a farmer was using two or three cwt of fertiliser he is now only getting one cwt. One well known farmer states that there is certain to be a drop in production, both from dairying and sheep farming and to some extent, from cropping. A shortage of labour also makes it difficult or impossible for the farmer to obtain the maximum production from his land.