COCKSFOOT SEED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 189, 8 May 1941, Page 12

COCKSFOOT SEED

Increase In Production In New Zealand

ADVICE TO GROWERS

During the years when the hush country in the North Island was being converted into grassland, (here was a big demand for cocksfoot seed, states a Canterbury Chamber of Commerce ttgrienlltiral bulletin. In 1909 almost •12.0011 acres were harvested in New Zealand and :t considerable quantity of seed was imported Io meet the requirements for sowing. Since the greater part of the bush country Ims been sown, I lie demand for cocksfoot seed has declined and today New Zealand can supply her own requirements. The area of cocksfoot harvested in 1940 was 10,255 acres and more than 90 per cent of this was grown in Canterbury. About 1,500,0001 b. of seed is used annually in New Zealand and about 250.0001 b. is exported, principally to Australia. More than 93 per cent, of this acreage is grown in Canterbury.

The Akaroa County has for many years been the chief source of supply but a remarkable development in cocksfoot seed growing has taken place in the Ashburton County. Between 1926 and 1931 the area increased from abqut 1500 acres to nearly 4500 acres, and in 1910 the area cut for seed in Ashburton was about the same as that cut in Akaroa.

An increase in cocksfoot seed areas has occurred in oilier districts on the plains and there is every reason to suppose that bn laud suited to seed production, a further increase can be anticipated. Uses of Cocksfoot. Before a policy involving an increase in cocksfoot seed production is undertaken, it is necessary to ensure that there is. au outlet for the seed in local consumption and in the export trade. As far as New Zealand’s own requirements at present are concerned, at first sight there does not appear to be a prospect of utilizing any largo increase of seed. But this is not necessarily a correct assumption. . ' Cocksfoot, once the most important grass in New Zealand, now takes second place to ryegrass. The development of high-producing pastures which has been a feature of New Zealand’s agriculture during the past 15 years has been associated with elose and rotational grazing of heavily top-dressed pastures consisting mainly of ryegrass and white clover. Under this system of management cocksfoot does not give its maximum production. On the other hand the grass has many characteristics which can lie exploited on most farms. It is a high producer when properly managed; it is palatable and nutritious when it is supplied with nitrogen .moisture and other plant foods; it is resistant to grass grub, it continues to grow in the summer months when ryegrass runs to seed; and it will produce good feed on all but the wettest and the lightest land.

In order to gain these advantages it is necessary to manage cocksfoot in a way that will fit in with the growth habits of the plant. Under grazing conditions the crown should be protected from the drying action of the sun and wind. It will not thrive when grazed close and continuously. It is for this reason that it does not grow well in association with ryegrass which, with its low set crown, thrives under close grazing. Cocksfoot will never be accorded its rightful place in New Zealand pastures till farmers appreciate this fact .and establish cocksfoot dominant pastures (with clover to give the necessary nitrogen) and then manage the pasture to suit the cocksfoot. It is considered that at least 'one field on every farm should be cocksfoot dominant if the best pasture production is to he secured.

It is equally important to encourage the growth of clovers in a cocksfoot pasture by liming and by annual toildressing with superphosphate. Cocksfoot will not tbrivr; unless it is provided with available nitrogen and under pasture conditions a strong growth of clover is the most practicable means of providing this. The following mixtures are a suitable guide for sowing on different classes of land :— A. Medium to good land : Cocksfoot. 10-121 h. : ryegrass, 3-41 b.: Mont, red clover. 31b.: white clover, 21b.

B. Light land: Cocksfoot, 8-101 b.; ryegrass. 4-olb.: Mont, red clover. 31b.; white clover. lib.: sub. clover. 2lb. If these recommendations were more widely adopted it is confidently anticipated that there would be a considerable increase in the quantity of cocksfoot seed used in Now Zealand, thus assisting pasture production on the fa rm. Method of Sowing. The seed should be drilled shallow with superphosphate. It is very often drilled too deeply, especially in a loosely compacted seedbed. This results in a slow germination and a thin strike and will allow spaces for weed infestation. The quantity of seed required is 8-101 b. an acre drilled in seven-inch rows. ? Drilling in 28-incli rows at the rate of 51b. an aero necessitates intensive intercnltivation for the first year or two till the rows have grown over, ni..l annual scuffling in subsequent yours. 'l’he practice gives good yields but the economies of this method of growing cocksfoot have not been fully investigated.

'l’he best lime to sow is from November, after the spring flush of weeds has passed, till the eml of February. Later, sowing runs llie risk of injury ("oni early frosts. When sown as recommended above, a light crop of seed can lie taken within 12 months and the practice is advocated when high-grade certified seed is used. It is. however, acknowledged that successful stands have been established by broadcasting on wheat, either in autumn or spring, or by sowing with other spring-sown crops such as barley. 'i’he inclusion of red clover in a cocksfoot seed area has much to reeommend it. For the first year or tiro till the cocksfoot becomes dominant, the crop is usually cut for red clover hay and seed, thereby missing one or more cocksfoot seed crops. Subsequently the clover loaf in the seed sample may detract from ils appearance. White clover should always be sown wit li cocksfoot established for seorl production. ft provides cheap nitrogen so essential to high seed yields.