§ 27. Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the availability of animal fodder for the winter months.
§ Mr. StrangIt is too early to make an accurate assessment. After a good first cut of hay many areas in the South are now suffering from drought, but in the North there are large quantities of high quality hay and silage and fodder crops are promising. I would expect any shortages in the drought-affected 911W areas to be covered by the usual movement of fodder. Winter supplies should be adequate, given reasonable weather from now on and careful use by farmers, but my officials are monitoring the situation closely.