CROPS FOR DAIRY COW.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 18 February 1926, Page 7

CROPS FOR DAIRY COW.

STRATFORD DEMONSTRATION FARM.

Although good pasture forms the . staple diet of dairy cows and is the most profitable anti convenient means , of feeding them, yet suitable crops are necessary to promote high production of butter-fat per acre. In early autumn, when cows begin to show a decreased How, this can be arrested to a large extent by some additional feed, in some districts maize is used and in others lucerne. On the Stratford Demonstration Farm soft turnips have so far been the chief fodder for this purpose. Disease among the iur_ nips has on many farms made turnip growing almost impossible. Practically every known variety has been tried at Stratford in an endeavour to hud if any be really resistant to club root, and at the present time ten or a dozen varieties are growing. Partly as an alternative to soft turnips, and p artly as a change, field peas are grown and fed out, any surplus therefrom being harvested as pig feed. Swede turnips provide excellent winter feed, and the different varieties are looking well. It has been claimed that a process of pasteurisation of seed eliminates disease, and a patch has been drilled with seed so treated. Mangolds and carrots provide the spring feed, and crops are looking remarkably well this year. Chou mollier is thriving, and will be used for feeding both cuttle and pigs. The bay crops were all well saved, and it is worth mentioning that salt is always sprinkled over it during stacking operations. This method of supplying salt to the cows is probably more effective and economical than any other, and no doubt wards off the disease known us red-water. The growing popularity of ensilage induced the committee to again make some this year. A crop of 6J acres of oats and vetches was grown for the purpose. It was a very heavy crop, and it has recently been harvested in a stack built with the assistance of a mast and grab. Crops on the Stratford Demonstration Farm were an absolute necessity in order to work blackberry out of the land and to renew the pastures which were worn out. This is a sure and effective way of getting rid of this pest. Visitors are invited to inspect the farm on Thursday next, when the committee will be present to give or take | hints on farm management.