Good season for pasture growth

Press, 11 December 1981, Page 16

Good season for pasture growth

By

PETER BRITTENDEN

After the rigours of a very difficult autumn and winter, Canterbury farmers now have every reason to face the near future with some confidence.

The feed shortages which existed on most Canterbury farms between April and September have been replaced with an abundance of pasture. Regular rains, coupled with more than adequate sunshine, have been the secret of the change.

Hay supplies, which were, seriously depleted during last winter, have been improved by the excellent growing conditions. On some farms two cuts of hay have been taken.

The only factor concerning some Ministry of Agriculture farm advisory officers is the condition of breeding ewes. Several officers said that despite the excellent spring ewe liveweights were still below the acceptable level for tupping. . One officer said it usually took two good seasons to lift the condition of stock severely hit by feed shortages. The rainfall has been well

spread during spring. Most areas have had excellent and even coverage. By the end of October 68mm had been recorded at Harewood Airport. This is significantly above the October average of 46mm. The total rainfall recorded for the year up until October 31 was 505 mm (565 mm for the same period last year and 527 mm the average to that date).

The sunshine hours recorded that month were 198 compared with 192 for the same period last year. During November the rainfall recorded was 36mm. The average is 47mm. The hours of sunshine were 202. , Mr A. S. Brown, a farm adviser stationed in Ashburton, said in that area farmers were well off for feed, crops were looking particularly good and the condition of stock was gradually improving. Mr Brown said the rainfall in the area had been quite adequate and only farmers on lighter soils were having to reduce stock numbers to

ensure the summer could be faced with confidence. Lambs were doing well and plenty of farmers were drafting, he said. Because supplementary feed reserves had been exhausted on some farms, it would be important to take advantage of the good growing conditions and ensure hay supplies were in the shed.

The only real worry for farmers was the poor price for old ewes. Farmers would be keen to sell cull ewes, but the demand was very limited, said Mr Brown. Mr A. R. Gerard, a farm adviser at Rangiora, said the lambing percentage in the North Canterbury area would be down by about 10 per cent. Not only had the condition of ewes at the last tupping affected this, but on many farms abortion diseases had taken a toll. Lambs were doing well and it seemed farmers would be keeping lambs to grow them to higher weights, Mr Gerard said.

He said advisers were warning farmers to ensure the Down cross type of lamb, particularly those sired by Southdown rams, were not held too long because this type of lamb "could be overdone" and the price paid by the freezing companies would reflect this.

Hoggets and ewes were picking up weight. If grass growth continued through until autumn, then liveweights might be satisfactory. If not, liveweights would not pick up until next season', he said. He said conditions were ideal for silage and hay making and farmers must take advantage of this. Crops were doing well, although stripe rust had created problems for wheat and barley farmers.

In the Darfield area "things were looking very good,” Mr B. G. Brookes, a Ministry livestock officer stationed at Darfield, said.

The sight of lambs in pasture higher than they were was not uncommon. Lambs would do better on shorter pasture, Mr Brookes said. Although stock was doing well, lambs were often too

soft and “sappy.” This was because of the lush pasture growth. Some warm northwest winds would serve well to harden up pasture and make it more effective, he said.

Mr F. G. Ferguson, a farm adviser stationed at Christchurch, said after weeks of easterlies recent rains had been welcome. Stock were doing well, although farmers would have to watch for overfat lambs.

Crops were also growing well, although some disease problems, such as stripe rust, had occurred. Several Banks Peninsula farmers spoken to were more than happy with the spring. Rains on the Peninsula have been heavier and more widespread than on the plains and this has resulted in excellent growing conditions.

Haymaking has kept many farmers very busy. They are making sure they fill sheds emptied by the difficult autumn and winter.

Stock on the peninsula have improved during the spring, but ewe weights were still below the optimum, the farmers said.