PROVISION OF WINTER FEED

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27896, 18 February 1956, Page 7

PROVISION OF WINTER FEED

KALE AND FODDER BEET FARMERS - REVIEW TRIALS Two winter supplementary feed crop trials featuring different varieties of kale and fodder beet were the centres of interest at a field day held recently at Mr A. D. Neill’s farm. Greenpark, by members of the Department of Agriculture and Crop Research Division. Notwithstanding the very dry season, the trials showed that it is possible to make ample provision for dairy cows on this class of land in this district. As Mr Neill pointed out, the soil was light and the particular paddock was one of the poorest on the farm. The kale trial featured, in addition to the standard medium-stemmed chou moellier and thousand headed kale, two other varieties less well-known in New Zealand —Hungry Gap kale and Collard kale. It was evident, as Mr P. Palmer, of the Crop Research Division indicated, that there appeared to be no gap for which Hungry Gap kale was suitable under our Canterbury conditions. This variety. Hungry Gap, was very short and throwing little feed, although it appeared to be ready to feed, and was more affected by aphids than other varieties. Although Collard kale looked slightly more promising, it was not producing as much feed as the standard varieties under the conditions. Of the two standard varieties there was little difference in height at present, but the thousand-headed kale appeared to have the fresher appearance. In reply to a question, Mr Lobb, assistant fields superintendent said that the kales still had three to four months to grow and, given favourable- growing conditions from now on, were capable of considerable improvement. A season such as this does show up, he said, the weaknesses of the brassica, as they are more susceptible to hot, dry weather conditions and pests. Fodder Beet Varieties The local farmers present were particularly interested in the four varieties of fodder beet grown in the adjoining trial in the same paddock. These four varieties showed considerable variation in colour, size, shape, leaf growth, and the proportion of the root out of the ground, which one farmer who had grown it maintained was the most important difference between the varieties, the deep-rooted varieties requiring up to four times as much work to pull or dig. All varieties were well-grown arid had evidently well repaid the intercultivation and thinning work, as they were also free of weeds.

Mr N. L. Shillito, seed production officer of the Department of Agriculture. demonstrated the different characteristics of the four varieties— Hunsballe, Pajbjerg Rex, Red Otofte and Yello Daeno. Of these, it appeared

that the last two, Red Otopte and Yellow Daeno. but particularly the Yellow Daeno, stood well out of the ground and gave a good yield. The particular values of fodder beet, as enumerated by Mr Shillito. are (1) that it is a reliable crop to grow on suitable land, not being subject to any particular diseases or pests, as are the brassicas; (2) that it has a much higher dry matter content than mangolds—l6

per cent, to 21 per cent., as against 10 per cent, to 11 per cent, for mangolds: (3) that it can be fed at any time i.e., before it is mature or up till late in the season. Commonsense Precautions It was explained that commonsense precautions should be taken in starting to feed this crop—it should not be introduced suddenly into the diet, it should not be fed in excess (251 b to 301 b a head is enough to start with), and finally it should be fed in conjunction with hay and/or silage. There was considerable discussion among the farmers present, mainly relating to supplementary feed. Several farmers had already grown fodder beet successfully. One well-known Ladbrooks farmer with a spray irrigation plant was with reason a staunch chou moellier advocate and he has had, this year as usual, a very food crop of chop moellier which had been irrigated when required. A crop of much interest on Mr Neill’s farm which is being grown by a small but increasing number of North Canterbury farmers is maize for summer green feed for milking cows. This crop can successfully tide over the dry period from January onwards which has been experienced in the last two seasons. If it is not required for green feed it can be made into silage with the forage harvester. At a later stage, yield estimations of these trials will be made.

CAUSES OF TUSSOCK DETERIORATION

In the scientific investigations on the cause of the deterioration of tussock grasslands, an experimental area was opened between Burke’s Pass and Tekapo in the Mackenzie Country about 10 years ago. An interim report has just been issued. Scientists of the Entomological Research Station, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, hoped to arrive at conclusions from the growth and vigour under varying conditions, and the comparative extent to which insects are responsible, for the deterioratipn of tussock grassland. Part of the experimental area was netted against rabbits, etc., and the other not netted. Some plots were treated with insecticide both within and outside fenced areas. In the netted area, larvae of moths, butterflies, etc., are responsible for most of the damage of the plants above ground, and grass grubs for the damage to the root systems. On the other hand, the remainder of the leafeating. other, insects were so common that they undoubtedly played some part in the welfare of tlje tussock. Leaf-eating insects contributed matter to decaying central portions of tussock, and this, with attendant moulds, acted as a seed-bed for tussock seeds. The root-feeding grubs reduced effective root-lengths to 3 inches instead of the normal 18 inches to 36 inches, and in addition caused opening up of the soil. This predisposed such ground to excessive frost damage, often raised tussock well above normal levels, and when dried out the soil was subject to wind erosion. In the experimental area there is a very clearly marked distinction between the area fenced against rabbits, etc., and the unfenced areas. From this it is obvious that tough tussock is able more or less to offset feeding by the whole complex of insects, it is not able to withstand successfully the additional damage done by rabbits and deer (and man, sheep, cattle, horses, etc.).

It has now been confirmed that a British brown hare killed by a dog at Wilton (Wilts) was suffering from myxomatosis, the virus disease of rabbits. This confirms the findings in France that in rare instances the hare may be affected, but it is emphasised that there is no evidence that the disease affects other animals or human beings. The carcase of a hare found in Northern Ireland was also affected with myxomatosis.