Good Progress Seen In Tussock Improvement

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28832, 28 February 1959, Page 9

Good Progress Seen In Tussock Improvement

This year’s tussock improvement competition in the Mackenzie country has illustrated very well the progress made in tussock grassland improvement in this region since the competition was first held.

Initially the main emphasis was on the establishment of clover alone and boosting the vigour and production of existing grasses through nitrogen from the clover. The aim now appears to be the establishment of productive grasses in conjunction with clovers, and many of the entries showed that this could be done successfully from the air as well as by the use of machinery. Increased fertility through nitrogen from the clovers and increased, well-regulated stocking has produced balanced, highly-productive associations of clover and grasses with the original tussock species also present. Purpose Of Work The manner in which improved areas have been utilised is also of considerable interest. On some properties the work has been carried out mainly for the special purpose of improving the nutrition of hoggets during the winter or rams during the summer, while on others the policy has been to provide more grazing for virtually the same number of stock as were carried before. Another system followed has been the retention of a number of older ewes normally sold as cast for age. The extra- ewe lambs .from these have increased the number of replacements available for the ewe flock on the whole property, making possible heavier culling, and eventually it may be possible to mate some, or all of the old ewes kept, with a ram of suitable fat lamb breed. Clover seed production has also been considered on at least one property, and harvesting will be carried out if sufficient seed is set.

A feature of all entries was that stock health and thrift have been well maintained. This is in marked contrast to other districts, where in some cases lambing percentages have been drastically reduced and death rates increased following topdressing and oversowing. Although this is a problem which has only recently come to notice, and little definite information is available, it is interesting to note that precautions against it have been taken on some of the properties visited. These include the sowing of grasses such as cocksfoot, ryegrass and crested dog’s tail, as well as clover, when making the initial topdressing and oversowing, and deliberately leaving areas untreated to provide roughage. The presence of herbs such as yarrow and cat’s ear is also considered important. Subdivision The necessity for further subdivision fencing for more efficient utilisation of improved areas was again apparent. In this respect the electric fences erected by Mr I. H. Wardell earned favourable comment as they appeared thoroughly efficient and well worthwhile at a cost of about £lOO per mile compared with £4OO for conventional fencing. There were nine entries in this year’s competition compared with eight last year and again all entries were located in the Pukaki area, but they still covered a wide range of climate, altitude, soil type and topography. These factors were all taken into account by the judges. This year the competition was divided into two classes, one for

aerial work and the other for improvement by any method. Written statements were required for entries in the latter class setting out the relationship of the improvement to the property as a whole. The basis of judging, and the allocation of points, have ..also been changed from last year. Previously the possible for both management and composition was 40 points each, with a possible of 20 for stability. This year the possible for management was 60, with 30 for composition and 10 for stability. This allocation of points has laid the main emphasis in judging on management, and a number of factors were taken into account by the judges under this heading. Seed mixtures, rates of seeding, type and quantity of fertiliser sown, utilisation and stocking of improved areas and their relationship to the properties concerned, and subdivision, were all considered, as well as spelling to maintain vigour of species and to allow seeding and the spread of seed through stock: Composition In judging composition, factors other than the density and vigour of introduced legume species were taken into account. Points were awarded for introduced grasses such as cocksfoot, perennial ryegrass and crested dog’s tail, While other components of the vegetation of value for grazing such as native and exotic grasses, and herbs such as yarrow and cat’s ear, also received attention. All entries showed worthwhile results and a considerable improvement on the original tussock. The extra food has been of considerable value to stock, and the improved vegetation has resulted in better stability and better conditions for soil and water conservation. It has also assisted regeneration on steeper and drier and more critical areas by relieving grazing pressure in these places, especially when dark faces only have been top-dressed on hjll country, enabling the growth to come away and improve on the sunny faces. Results were:—

Aerial Work Only.—Mr R. Hosken, Simon’s Hill Station (entry No. 1) 1; Mr R. Hosken, Simon’s Hill Station (entry No. 2), and Messrs Guiness and Le Cren, Glentanner Station (equal) 2. Improvement by Any Method.— Mr R. Hosken, Simon’s Hill Station (entry No. 1) 1; Mr R. Hosken, Simon’s Hill Station (entry No. 2), Mr I. H. Wardell, Lake Pukaki Inn, and Messrs Guiness and Le Cren, Glentanner Station, equal, 2.