THE WEEK

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27434, 21 August 1954, Page 5

THE WEEK

AERIAL TOPDRESSING

In the five years in which it has been on a fully commercial basis, aerial topdressing has made tremendous strides, as a series of tables in the annual report of the Aviation Industry Association, to which most of the aerial topdressing concerns belong, shows clearly. In 1950, 15 aircraft spread 5003 tons of fertiliser on 48,741 acres. In the year to March 31, 1954, 200 aircraft spread 203,110 tons on 1,929,499 acres. Aircraft handled about one quarter of the fertiliser used in the country. Besides fertiliser, the topdressing fleet sowed 211 tons of seeds on 37,000 acres, dropped 2787 tons of rabbit poison, distributed 25,658 gallons of spray weedkillers, and dropped 113 tons of supplies. In spite of that very respectable performance, the association claims that shortage of fertilisers prevented even better figures being achieved in aerial topdressing. In some districts supplies were very* short, particularly in the autumn, the report says. In Hawke’s Bay, 20 aircraft were grounded for two months because no fertiliser was available, and shortages continue in some districts. Plant for making granular superphosphate has been ordered, and the association says it hopes that at least two works will be producing granular superphosphate this coming season. “Although the aerial topdressing fleet is now handling about 25 per cent, of the superphosphate produced in New Zealand, it is capable of doubling that figure, without increasing its capacity, if fully employed,” the report says.

In a table setting out by provinces the use made of aerial topdressing this year, the South Island shows up very badly. Of the 203,110 tons of fertiliser 1 spread from the air, only 24,338 tons, } about one-ninth, was spread in the J South Island. Southland used 14,612 ‘ tons, Marlborough 1281 tons, and Can- | terbury 8445 tons. Auckland with ] 94,663 tons, Hawke’s Bay, with 31,195 T tons, and Wellington with 31,195 tons each used more than the whole of the South Island. Of the 200 aircraft employed in the work, only about < 35 were employed in the South Island. ; There is no doubt that a big area ; of North Island unploughable hill < country formerly topdressed by hand is ideally suited to aerial topdressing, 1 but there must be very strong doubts i that the area in the North Island that ( can be topdressed by air profitably is , nine times as great as the area in the i South Island. j FEED RESERVES ADEQUATE ■plough wintry conditions have pre- ; vailed in most districts, pastures, crops and stock are in good condition, and in most instances adequate reserves of winter fodder are held, says the monthly report of the Department of Agriculture for the northern half of the South Island. Frequent snowfalls in the high country have necessitated snow raking, and winter fodder reserves are being rapidly used. With so much snow oh the high country, runholders anticipate that spring growth will be late, and reserves may not be sufficient to meet requirements. The weather generally was wintry, wet and cold, especially throughout North Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast, and in all high-country and foothills districts, with frequent snowfalls, at times to low levels, from the south. Frosts were severe in most districts. All districts report that wheat crops are making very satisfactory progress, though some spring resowing will be necessary on areas in Marlborough which were flooded in June. Wet weather has hindered' feeding off of greenfeed barley crops. In most districts ground preparations for spring sowings are under way. A-limited number of linseed contracts have been signed up in South Canterbury, where ground preparation for spring sowings is in' progress. Grading of potatoes continues in South Canterbury. The demand for table grade is ve*y slack, and growers are apprehensive of being unable to dispose of their crops. The same position applies in North Canterbury, where many stores are carrying full stocks of table grades. Seed lines have been moving more freely, and some 80,000 sacks of seed have been inspected for certification in the Christchurch district area.

North Canterbury autumn-sown pea crops are making satisfactory progress. Wintry weather has retarded growth of grass and clover seed but most areas intended for seed are in good heart. Some red clover stands in South Canterbury are showing evidence of porina damage, but most have recovered well after last season’s harvest.

Hay has been used extensively with 1 the onset of winter, but most farmers < hold ample reserves. Winter forage crops are being break : fed and are standing up well to hard ! feedings. Most districts have adequate reserves, and in some areas surpluses : are forecast unless the winter proves especially prolonged. The Cold weather has retarded pasture growth in all districts, and growth in most instances has become dormant. Some growth has been made by pastures in the Nelson area. Newlysown pastures are in good heart, and most of the older established pastures are carrying a fair cover, especially on the medium and heavy soil types. Throughout Canterbury porina damage appears to be more evident than usual. Affected areas are being treated with D.D.T. super wherever supplies are available, but this material has been in short supply. There have been no reports of crop diseases, apart from mildew, appearing on green feed barley in South Canterbury* Porina damage to pastures and seed stands appears more prevalent than usual, and infestations apper widespread throughout Canterbury. DR. JOHN HAMMOND TO RETIRE Dr. John Hammond, whose work at Cambridge earned him a reputation as the leading animal physiologist of the world, is due to retire at the end of next month. Dr. Hammond, whose report on New Zealand agricultural research is still very well remembered here, has had a profound influence on animal husbandry, particularly the production of meat, in all parts of the world. He has trained a number of outstanding scientists, among them Dr. C. P. McMeekan, head of the Ruakura Experiment Station, and Dr. G. Edgar, also of Ruakura, both of them New Zealanders. Dr. Hammond’s studies on growth rates of different parts of meat carcases led to an entirely new conception of meat production. A London message states that he will retire on September - 30 from his post as Reader in Agricultural Physiology in the University of ’Cambridge, and from his honorary directorship of the Agricultural Research Council’s unit

of animal reproduction, having reached the age of 65. In order that his wide experience and expert knowledge can continue to be used, the Agricultural Research Council and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries have jointly arranged that Dr. Hammond’s sevices should be available to them after his official retirement. Dr. Hammond will no longer have any connexion with the Council’s Unit or with the Animal Research Station at Huntingdon road, Cambridge, but the council will be able to call on him for advice on research problems and for help in experiments in which his specialised knowledge will be invaluable. He will also assist the Ministry on the livestock side of the National Agricultural Advisory Service, particularly in furtherance of their aim to increase livestock production, and in the livestock work of their experimental husbandry farms.