More Intensive Cropping Possible

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30811, 24 July 1965, Page 9

More Intensive Cropping Possible

Mr J. R. Cocks, a farmer of Eiffelton, Mid-Canterbury, who visited Britain last year under a Nuffield Foundation scholarship, says in his report to the foundation, that he takes his hat off to the British intensive mixed farmer —“he really knows his job”—and suggests that New Zealand can learn some lessons from him.

“We in New Zealand have learned to build fertility,” says Mr Cocks. “The British farmer has learned to use fertility. There is no doubt that we have only scratched the surface of what could be accomplished by more intensive cropping, even without nitrogen. A three year ley (or pasture) could be regarded as the maximum on much of our land. Though our internal market is limited, it will expand steadily, and there is no reason whatever why we should not be self-sufficient in wheat production. “Our thinking seems to have been clouded by memories of cropped-out farms during the 1930’5. Even if we do exceed the safety margin, we have the knowledge and techniques necessary to quickly restore the position. Considerable research should be undertaken on the lines being pursued in Britain, particularly on the effect of various husbandry practices on fertility levels.” Mr Cocks notes that the 750,000 acres of crops grown in New Zealand is roughly equal to the area of potatoes grown in Britain—this is an indication of .the intensity of British arable farming. The number of enterprises on one farm and the variety of combinations of these enterprises made the British mixed farmer a very versatile performer. On a 1000 acre mixed arable farm there could be 150 acres in wheat, 150 acres in barley, 110 acres in sugar beet, 70 acres in potatoes, 150 acres in vining peas, 60 acres in vining beans, 100 acres in 522 ryegrass for seed, 50 acres for cocksfoot seed, 16 acres in black currants, 50 acres in grass for the pedigree dairy herd, a small area of permanent pasture (unploughable ground), a flying flock of 500 ewes and two irrigation plants. Quite commonly a farm like this would also have a

poultry unlit of 10,000 to 15,000 laying hens, and/or a pig enterprise of 50 to 200 breeding sows, which could mean several thousand pigs. The labour force was very seldom less than one man per 100 acres and often two or more depending on the enterprises. A farm like this would have an office and at least a permanent secretary. At the same time, however, there was a trend towards a degree of specialisation, because of the greater simplicity of management and the high cost of keeping up to date the specialised equipment needed for each of a number of enterprises. Thus a 45(hacre farm might have 150 acres in wheat, 200 acres in barley and 100 acres in beans, with the labour force comprising three men. Accent The accent was always on the maximum acreage of corn (Wheat, barley, etc.) and It usually occupied at least 60 per cent, and up to 75 per cent, and even 100 per cent of the arable acreage. In some cases Mr Cocks said that barley had been grown continuously for nine years without detriment. Humus levels dropped to about 2 per cent and then remained constant, and provided enough nitrogent was used yields were very satisfactory. Could this level of cropping continue? Mr Cocks said he had asked this question continually and the answer from farmer and research worker had invariably been “yes it could continue.” All the experimental evidence bore this out and in some cases it had been going on for several hundred years. Whether nitrogen was applied to the soil through the clover plant extracting it from

the ate or whether the fertiliser manufacturer extracted it from the air and the farmer then applied it to the soil, there was no doubt that it was a key factor, and a dominating factor, in achieving high production. “We are fortunate in being able to rely on clover as a fertility builder in New Zealand, but the value of nitrogen out of the bag must not be forgotten. Greater use of nitrogen than is at present customary could often be justified in an intensive farming system, even at present prices, especially if irrigation is available to ensure maximum benefits,”

In the making of hay Mr Cbcks noted that a recent development was barn dried hay. With the aid of crimpers, and where large blowers, primarily used to dry grain, were available, good hay could be made more quickly and much more often. More work was, however, needed to perfect techniques. “I thought a method of spraying molasses on the swath (to aid fermentation) as it entered the forage harvester was a technique that could well be used in New Zealand to aid palatability of threshed ryegrass straw before baling. “A fodder crop, not yet in general use In Briain, that is worthy of a trial in New Zealand is fodder radish. “I would have dearly loved enough time to do a week’s ploughing, as several features of British ploughs impressed me. Reversible ploughs were widely used and have some advantages. Good skimmers attached either to the beam or the coulter were in common use and replaceable mouldboard sections were another feature. Bar-point ploughs with a long springloaded bar point in place of a share, which can be periodically moved a little further out as wear takes place, could well have a place on our stony land.’’