LOSSES OF STOCK

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20512, 31 May 1938, Page 8

LOSSES OF STOCK

The question of the losses incurred by farmers, owing to the outbreak of facial eczema in their flocks and herds, should not be merely a matter of speculation. The ultimate loss cannot possibly be assessed for it will be a cumulative thing. Much of the stock is entering the hard months of the winter in poor order, and a great deal depends upon the conditions for they will govern the losses to a large extent. Later there will be losses due to poor lambing returns, and possibly a wool clip below the average in quality. It would not be surprising if this outbreak, by bringing the sheep down in condition rapidly, makes the wool tender. If there is any sign of a break it will in all probability be due to this scourge. In these respects the losses cannot be estimated. The dairy farmer has sustained an immediate loss because of the reduced yield, and his stock, too, is not entering the winter months in the condition usually found in this part of the Dominion. It remains to be seen what the effects are when the new season starts. Farmers like to see the cows come in in good condition. Whatever the ultimate losses may be is not, however, the immediate concern. The Government has promised to assist those producers who have been hard hit, and who have not the financial resources to re-stock their properties. That should be done without any delay because of the need to maintain production. And there is nothing to be gained by making any general estimate in this respect. It is a matter for the investigation of individual cases, involving not only the losses incurred, but also the economic position of the farmer. This is a task that should be entrusted to a committee of men who have a knowledge of the position. They could ascertain with a greater degree of accuracy the particulars reqt ired. A committee of two or three practical farmers, and one or two men with an expert knowledge of the stock trqde, could probably state correctly what would be required to restore any property to a reasonable level of productivity. Whatever the losses ultimately will be, those now known make it imperative that the work of investigating the cause or causes of the scourge must be pushed ahead vigorously. The Dominion does not want any recurrence of this menace.