LIQUID MANURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20034, 5 September 1939, Page 15

LIQUID MANURE

TARANAKI SUCCESS GROWING POPULARITY , The manurial value of animal droppings and urine has been recognised for many years by farmers generally. The return to the soil of this material to help maintain fertility on ploughed land has been a standard practice adopted in this country from the experience of older countries. On the dairy farms of the Dominion, however, harrowing the pastures to spread droppings has been the main example of an appreciation of the value of animal manure, states Mr. A. G. Elliott, crop experimentalist, Wellington. The disposal of the droppings and the washings from the milking sheds and yards and from the pig sties has always been- a problem. The usual solution —that of- carrying this material off to streams and rivers by drains—is definitely wasteful, particularly of minerals. Practical and effective methods of returning milking shed and pig sty cleanings to the pastures where the manurial effect is outstanding have been developed in Taranaki on upwards of 40 farms. The introduction of the practice of applying liquid manure under local conditions has given marked results, and has provided a method of coping with formerly waste substances which were possible .sources of trouble in dairy produce. Not Unpalatable Contrary to the freely expressed opinion that growth would become rank or feed unpalatable after’ applications of liquid manure, it has been amply proved that growth is well controlled and that cows will graze over the treated area within a few days under the usual conditions of frequent rainfall. The usual applications of artificial fertilisers are still necessary to maintain balanced growth and provide palatable feed, but the value of the flush following liquid manure topdressing without opening up the sward is considerable.

From the data already obtained from the 27 farms investigated on which liquid manure is regularly used, the installation of plants on all farms of suitable contour can be confidently recommended. The fact that the number of outfits is growing steadily each year indicates the appreciation by local farmers of the value of the practice.