WHEAT-GROWERS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20612, 30 July 1932, Page 7

WHEAT-GROWERS.

MEETING AT LEESTON. At a meeting of wheat-growers held at Leeston yesterday afternoon, at which there was a fair attendance, Messrs J. H. Williams, R. G. McClure, and A. Carroll were appointed Ellesmere representatives to the electoral committee of the free wheatgrowers. Mr P. F. Ryan presided. Stating that he had attended as a grower to talk to growers, Mr Alan Grant, a member of tho Wheat Marketing Board, who was present in place of Mr H. F. Nicoll, urged the wheat-growers to take a greater interest in the marketing of their product, in view of the organised opposition in the North Island. The industry was an important one, giving employment to nearly 20,000 people. Mr Grant went on to explain the equalisation scheme and said that there had been some grumbling about taking one penny per bushed from the growers. There was, however, a good deal of necessary expense in connexion with the fund. The miller paid a penny a bushel for all the wheat he quoted. At present the fund was £BIO4 in credit, and the fixed deposit of the Board amounted to £12,500. Answering a question whether the Board intended to hoard the £BIO4, Mr Grant said that the money belonged to the farmers and should be paid to them. If the Board could keep the price of bran and pollard up it would be able to pay all its expenses and return a penny a bushel to the farmer, possibly more. To one man who contended that the brokerage charge should be reduced by at least 50 per cent. Mr Grant said that the Board had nothing to do with brokerage. Mr Grant was given a vote or thanks. • GRASS IN EARLY SPRING. VALUE OF NITROGEN. The early spring months are always a trying time for stock-owners, and this year it is likely to be more so than usual. The droughty conditions experienced last summer inadeN for limited supplies of hay, and it also meant that in some districts the root crops were on the light side. How to Get Early Spring Grass. Fortunately, the spring growth oi grass can be brought forward several weeks by the use of a quick-acting nitrogenous fertiliser, such as sulphate of ammonia. Where used with phosphates and judicious grazing is practised, nitrogen, to bringing "out-of-season" grass, improves the ryegrass composition of the pastures, and helps to control certain weeds. Experience has shown that the true perennial ryegrass, i.e., Hawke's Bay type, gives the best response from topdressing. Autumn-sown Italian ryegress also gives big growth in spring, if nitrogen is applied in late winter. Sheltered pastures also give the quickest response to top-dressing. One hundredweight per acre of sulphate of ammonia (fortunately now substantially reduced in price) should bo applied to the selected pastures, if no phosphate has been applied this v.ear, it is as well to apply lewt super with the sulphate of ammonia; or use nmmoniated super —Bcwt per aero for dairy pasture's, and 2cwt per acre on shecplands The enrlv part of August is a"pom] time to apolv the manure; in the- South a little later applications mav be marie. Importance of Adequate Stock Feeding A good bite of succulent young grass in early spring brings cows up to tho flush very quickly, and thus helps to > lay the foundation for a good-producing season. Early spring grass is very important for early lambing ewes anil ma!!kes for a good percentage of muijs fat off 'the mothers—the lambs that return the biggest profit to the far- j mcrs.