DAIRY FARMING.

Franklin Times, Volume 14, Issue 911, 13 August 1924, Page 2

DAIRY FARMING.

THE INTENSIVE METHOD.

ONE OR TWO COWS TO ACRE

RESULTS AT HORSHAM DOWNS,

A new method of farming which it is claimed will cause an evolution in the industry is being advocated by the organiser of the Waikato siibProvincial banch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union (Mr W. A. Porter). In the course of an interview with a Waikato Times representative, Mr Porter stated that while not claiming to be a prophet, he claimed that this new method of dairying was the herald of a great forward move, a genuine progressive step. It weird usher in the dawn, of a new era in the life of the dairy farmer, lor it meant- nothing less than a ct-.v or more to the acre, and this without any ploughing and without any root crops. Surely this was intensified daiiying—farming made ideal, farmin''- up-to-date, farming simplih-d.

It was only a year or' (wo ago since the sub-provincial executive nad the honour of launching a scheme for the testing of our dairy herds, widely at one and the same time was effective, simple and inexpensive, a scheme that not only made every farmer in New Zealand a debtor to the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, but proud of his union. The scheme was evolut idling our dairy herds, and in a few years would raise the average returns of butter.ifat per cow from 16SH) to 3001 b. The scheme had already spread almost all over New Zealand and would with compulsory branding, compulsory registering and compulsory certificates, very soon eliminate the cull. The union was now launching another scheme that would be one of the greatest forward moves ever taken in the history of New Zealand. It was a new method of farming.- whereby farms wilth a minimum of labour could be brought to carry from one to two milking cows to the acre, and this, when once the land is grassed, could be accomplished without ploughing and -without the tedious routine of root oops — with nought hut grass and hay. Surely this was farming up-to-date. Four years ago a ieturned soldier bought 50 acres of land at Horsham Downs that would carry 15 cows, while to-day it was ca lying 57 head of stock, including only two calves. The season before last this returned man took 93001 b of butter-fat from 40 cows, whilst in March of th-.s year he took 104.91 b of butter-,fat. Next season he wil* milk 50 cows and all this without ploughing and root crops. The secret of this new method of farming is in systematic top-d essing, chain barrowing, etc., on, an altogether new scale. The, total quantities of manures as used by this farmer annual!,v on the 50 acres were as follows : Eight tons guano, 8 tons super (44.-46), 8 tons s’ag (best), 24 tons lime ; with 56 tons lime this year to ccunte any possible had effect from such top-dressing. A nearby farmer, who also milks on 50 acres of land, told Mr Peter that after paying for the extra top-dressing Mr Hodgins (the farmer referred to above) took 1:250 more than he himse’f had done, whilst another farmer said, “I positively believe that Les. Hodgins will yet milk 100 cows on that 50 acres.” Our informant pointed out that the advantages of this intensive method of farming were that a much smaller capita'! outlay was requi'ed for 50 than for 150 acres. The interest and rates would be one-third, while the wo’king and fencing would be much less than on a larger place..- The quantity of implements required woukl not be nearly so great-, while noxious weeds and abbits would be more easily exterminated. Further* it was a much, simpler proposition to provide adequate shelter on a farm of 50 acres than on one three times that | size, and another point to be rernem- j be red was that 50 acres, would in proportion, be treated with far more j manure than would a considerably larger farm. Continuing. Mr Po ter stated that the intensive system provided the solution c»f some of the greatest pro-j bi.ems at- present confronting the in- j dust! y, especially that of the die- J tressed farmer. Thus in proposing j t.be scheme he would like to suggest : to mortgagees that where it was ! ip.i.'ac tic able and possible,. the man on .the land who was endeavouring to -make good shou-d be given . a chance. ;He therefore offered the following suggestions : The adjustment of prices .to a more equitable basis for a lighter interest charge or to leave in abeyance the interest, in part or whole, for a year or two, on the distinct understanding and on j an. absolute security or guarantee being given that a!' such moneys will I be spent on top-dressing. f

•Mr Porter was satisfied that if mortgagees could see their way to do this the tragedy of the distressed fa? mer would be done away with m two or three years, and that; the securities: which to-day were almost, worthless would become absolute. Lastly, the fanner weird buckle iu with a new heart and renewed vigor,

and this God-blessed Dominion of ours would launch forth upon a new era- of p; (asperity second only to that which followed the introduction of the refrigerator into New Zealand.