BASIS OF HILL FARMING

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 7

BASIS OF HILL FARMING

'I’HE basis at hill country 1 farming and development was discussed by Mr H. E. Garrett, reader in farm management at Lincoln College, speaking to farmers at a field day on the property of Mr I. S. Douglas at Ethelton.

On the flats he said that the correct policy was to grow mainly lucerne for grazing and hay, with calves and hoggets having priority for the hay. Ploughable and discable country should be worked into good grass and kept there as long as possible because of high cultivation costs. On tussock blocks subdivision into 100acre or smaller paddocks, preferably by electricity, was fundamental, but this was no good unless there was a sufficient water supply and he suggested that the district as a whole should look into large-scale supplies using pumps, tanks and troughs. On the stocking side the right balance with cattle was needed. On the property on which the field day was being held, a veiy large increase was required to control the growth of rougher feed.

Where it was short, white clover and particularly subterranean clover should be oversown on sunny hili faces and topdressing to the extent of a basic 10 to 15cwt to the acre should be proceeded with as fast as possible. It could then be eased back to li to 2cwt every second year, with DDT treatment every third year as the whole district had a grass grub problem. An important feature under present reduced prices and uncertain outlook for farming was for development to be made out of income. There should be harmony in all phases of development and stocking, and this was

particularly important as extra stock had to be purchased or female stock had to be retained, which was costly. On this property expenditure on both topd Fessing and cultivation could now be eased back. Mr Garrett said farmers should remember, as they developed their country, that both pastures and wool would become stronger at the same time. Halfbreds would have to give way to Corriedales, fine Corriedales to strong bold Corriedales with big bodies, and eventually perhaps—heresy of all heresies in North Canterbury —from Corriedales to Romneys. This could, however, be postponed a long time by the proper use of cattle.