GOOD PASTURES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 5, 17 October 1940, Page 6

GOOD PASTURES.

COMPETITION IN THE COUNTY.

MORE ENTRIES ARE REQUIRED. Although a satisfactory number of entries have been- received for the Mid-Canterbury Pasture Competition, these hay© come from practically only one district of the County. The committee in charge' of the competition has therefore decided to extend the closing date of entries to Wednesday, October 30, so that a more representative response may be obtained. The idea of such a competition- was for the purpose of fostering pastureproduction as a permanent farm practice rather than as a side line. The production and provision of oastures has been and still is a vital farming problem. Particularly is this so in New Zealand and! more particularly in Canterbury where soil fertility lias been largely depleted through long years of grain production. Canterbury nrides itself on the quantity and quality of its mutton, but pride of place can only bo held if good pastures - can be economically produced and controlled. Originally the County was split up into 11 districts where separate district competitioiis could be organised, the first three competitors being eligible for the provincial contest. The judges for the district and provincial competitions are to be thie same, Messrs R. Beviii (Lecturer in Agriculture at Lincoln College) and G-. K. McPherson (Department of Agriculture). The competition) has beten divided into two classes: (a) Land valued at under £l2 (Government and unimproved value), and (b) land valued at over £l2. In both cases in connection with valuation a sliding scale of points is to operate so that a-quarter point shall be added or deducted per £1 decrease or increase. The same valuers will act for both the district and provincial competitions. Thie area entered must at least Ire five acres and there is no limit to the number of entries. Others than property owners may compete provided that they have tlip consent of the property-owners. Because of the abnormal .seasonal . conditions and devastation by the grass grub this year, pasture sown before the end of February, 1940, will be eligible in the fijrst class, and that sown- in the spring of 1938 will be allowed entry in the second section.

It is proposed that after judging, district and provincial field days should be arranged.