GOOD PASTURE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22120, 16 June 1937, Page 5

GOOD PASTURE

MEANS OF OBTAINING BEST RESULTS ADDRESS TO FARMERS Means of efficient pasture management were described by Mr J. W. Calder, of Lincoln College, in an address to the Hinds branch of "the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Mr Calder emphasised that land under pasture gained in fertility, and that cropping depleted the natural fertility, especially depleting the nitrogen content which was built up by the clovers and leguminous crops. He traced the progress of pasture management and research in New Zealand during the last 25 years, and stated that the Dominion was now ahead of any other country in these matters. The first outstanding advance was made in Southland, where sour browntop land was converted, by draining, liming, and manuring to first-class grass land, carrying three to four times the number of stock previously carried. Liming and manuring were not at first successful in Canterbury, generally because the wrong types or grass land were treated, nor was intensive grazing, as at first adopted, now recommended. It was advised that pasture should not be grazed too closely all the time, but should be allowed to grow until just before it became fibrous, if possible. It had been found that the liming and manuring of good pasture, consisting oi permanent strains erf grass, and clover, resulted in great improvement in the quality and life ol pasture, and in carrying capacity ana health of stock. The top-dressing recommended was one ton of lime anO one hundredweight of super an acre the super to be applied annually The grasses should be certified ryegrasses, certified wild white clover Montgomery red clover, and certifiec cocksfoot. The loss in popularity 01 Hawke's Bay ryegrass was attributec to the sowing of the grass pure, anc it had been found that where clovers had been included and the pasture; limed and manured, the results hac been outstanding. The methods recommended to ensure success in laying down permanent pasture included, first of all ploughing early in May or June, working in spring and keeping the ground harrowed to consolidate and to conserve moisture. Seed should be sown from November to March. One ton.ol lime an acre should be applied. Certified seeds should be used in correct mixture, and one hundredweight of super an acre should De put in. The pasture should be lightly grazed during the first year to give plants -a chance to establish good roots. The exclusion of any one of these points would result in an unsatisfactory pasture. The mixtures re«mmended were:—First mixture: —25-301b of certified ryegrass. 21b certified wild white clover, 31b Montgomery red clover; second mixture: 25-301b certified ryegrass, 31b subterranean clover, 31b red clover; third mixture, for a cocksfoot pasture: 12-151b cocksfoot certified, 21b wild white clover, 41b Montgomery red clover.