Guide To Hill Development

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30901, 6 November 1965, Page 8

Guide To Hill Development

rpHE Te Awa hill pasture research area of the Grasslands Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is an outstanding example of what can be done to increase production from hill country. On the steep slopes and hilltops of the trial area, 1100 feet above sea level, stocking rates as high as six and a half ewes per acre have been successfully maintained, although the average on similar North Island hill country is less than two ewes per acre. These results have been achieved by the application of scientific methods of pasture improvement and management, evolved during 15 years of experimental work. They could be matched on vast areas of hill country if more farmers had the know-how to apply the same technique. Provision of such know-how is the aim of a 60-page booklet “Hill Pasture Improvement,” written by Mr F. E, T.

Suckling, officer in charge of the Te Awa research area, and issued as a joint publication by the Newton King group of companies and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Mr Suckling has provided, in practical and readily understood form, conclusions and recommendations which have hitherto been scattered through a multiplicity of scientific publications. In the fanner’s own language, he gives a step-by-step account of the methods by which hill pastures can best be improved and managed. Briefly, his teaching is that the land should be adequately subdivided, segregating sunny from shady faces; that it should be topdressed and oversown with legumes: and that it should then be stocked at rates which will ensure complete utilisation of the improved pasture growth. The ’-•hys and hows of these steps in improvement, and the

various factors involved in their implementation, are fully discussed. There are chapters on subdivision, the need for clovers, clover species, surface-sowing technique, fertiliser treatment pasture management before and after sowing, gorse control, and stock management. The text is illustrated with 24 photographs, mostly taken on the Te Awa pastures, and there is an appendix giving suitable seed mixtures for various types of hill country. “Hill Pasture Improvement” is a timely publication in view of the current drive for higher primary production and the fact that most of the increased production must come from fuller exploitation of the hill country’s potential. The booklet will be distributed by the Newton King group to its hill country clients. Others may obtain copies free of charge after January 1 next on application to the Grasslands Division, D.5.1.R., Palmerston North.