DEMONSTRATION FARM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 11 August 1928, Page 3

DEMONSTRATION FARM.

IV AIM ATE AVEST AREA

ANNUAL AIEETING

Members present at the annual meeting of the Wainiate West Demonstration Farm at Manaia on Thursday Avere Messrs 1 . J. W. Deem (chair), F. Mourie, A. F. Gamlin, J. Leslie, and J. F. Stevenson. Messrs. V. Hobday (secretary) and A. J. Glasson (of the Agricultural Department) were in attendance. Apologies were received from Messrs. McKay and' Dong.

The annual report of the chairman read as follorvs : The season in this locality was not the 1 best for milk production. The early spring was mild and the cows started away Avrell, then dry weather set in about the middle of September with cold winds. This continued' into November, and about the middle of November fair rains were experienced. These were folloAved by drought conditions from the middle of December to the end of March. The dry conditions Avere greatly reflected in the seasonal growth, of grass and milk returns. For instance, the butter-fat for October was 18941 b, November 18441 b, and December -19021 b, with a drop to 15941 bin January. This is the first time in the history of the farm that there has been a drop in butter-fat in November to be recovered in December.

Pastures were good during September and the early part of October, butowing to the AVeatner conditions mentioned above went- off badly from the middle of October to the middle of November. A good recovery was shown in the early part of December, Avliicli lasted until the end of the month, from which, date they became very bare- and' continued so- until the end of March, after which there Avas a fair rewvely. It was mentioned last year that the grass grub had been Arery bad on most of the farm. Careful feeding out of roots, ensilage and hay Avas practised on the Avorst areas, and although the grass Avas thin on several of the pastures in the spring there has now been: a, very good recovery, and, unless vre get a fresh attack next year, the ultimate harm will not be great. At the same time it must be recognised that the carrying capacity last spring Avas greatly reduced, and this to some extent accounts' for the falling off in butter-fat returns.

Pool crops consisted, as in the preA'ious year, of one acre of mangolds, carrots, soft turnips, and chon moellier. As in the past the soAvn crops bad a great battle with fumitory and wild turnips. Most of the available labour on the farm Avas spent in cleaning the mangolds and carrots in the early stages, and by the time the other crops received attention the dry weather had set in, consequently these crops l Avere not Arery good.' The mangold and carrot crops made a wonderful recovery during March and, April, and gave an average of 45 tons lOcwt for carrots and 76 tons for mangolds. The carrots were only fair quality, but the mangolds' Were very good. A test between Matchless White and Sinclair’s Champion resulted in a Avin for Matchless' White with 46 tons I.3cwt against 43 tons 4cwt for the Champion. Pod Intermediate mangolds were tested against Prizewinner, the Aveights- being Red Intermediate 87 tons 3ewt and PrizcAvinner 76 tons Icwfc. Ped Intermediate is a- very fine mangold' for this district, and a- long Avay preferable to Long Ped or similar mangolds. Ideal practice aa-oiiM' lie to grow half Red Intermediate and half Prizewinner. The manure used for the carrots was three 1 parts super, one Dart each of Nauru phosphate' and bone-meal, 4c wt per acre. A mangold manorial trial Avas carried out Avith Prizewinners to try out the Arerious potassic manures, also to test out our standard mangold manure against sulphurophospbato. The result hears out the results' -of numerous previous trials, which- inch'cate that it is the salt more than the potash that Iras the beneficial effect on the mangolds, and Ave can only reiterate our previous advire that in addition to phosphatie fertiliser for mangolds use 3 to 4cAvt of kainit or salt in preference to other pot-assic fertilisers-. The approximate prices of potash fertilisers are: Sulphate of potash £l6, muriate of potash £ls 10s. 30 per cent potash salts £7 15s, and kainit £5 10s per ton.

TOiP-DR.PBSiING OF PASTURES. Previous tests having 1 failed to indicate any improvement from the use of Potash top-dressings either to the eye or preference by stock, where Kai nit 2owt, 30 per cent potash lcwt, sulphate of potash Jewt, per acre, had been applied for several seasons in addition to the usual phosphatiio top-dressings, a definite feeding test was carnied out on the lines indicated last year. Arrangements u r ere made to graze the dairy herd the full 21 hours on each field, and the system followed was to graze the four super fields in rotation; then the four- potash and return to the super and so on through the season, giving the herd a fresh field every morning. This was continued from September 15 to* March 30. By grazing the cows 24 hours; in each field no loss of fertility was suffered fey either field as is often the case when day and 1 night paddocks are used. The test gave increase of 3671 b of milk over a period of six and a half months in favour of the potash fields. A small increase like this is not at all significant and cannot fee accepted as feeing in favour of potash or otherwise without further evidence. Last year’s top-dresisings have "been repeated and the test is to; be continued this year. GENERAL'. The season's returns are one of the poorest isinicei the farm started, being only £52 9s 2d against £136 Is lid last year. This was brought about by the sows feeing late in farrowing, and the poor prices received for pigs during the year. The profit for the year, carried to profit land loss account, is £l 13. against £123 17s 5d last year. The bank overdraft mniv stands ,a;t £1971 Ms Od against £2294 last year, a reduction of £323 8s 4d. The returns for butterfat this year are £llBO 11s 4d against £1072 12s 2d last year. The usual

writing down of plant, implements, and buildings has been followed. General live stock have also .been written down, and in the case of the dairy herd, they have been reduced from £ls to £l2 per head. , . , The total live stock on the farm at June 30, 1928, consists of 62 head of cattle, 3 horses, 16 pigs, agonist 62 head of cattle, 3 horses and 1/ pigs last year. Discussing the reports', Mr Deem said] that tne reduction of the stock on hand accounted for the profit not being larger, but it Avas good, safe, sound policy. Referring to tlie milk supply, lie said that if it went down in November it rarely recovered, but last year there, was fresh growth ol grass," and the cows came on better, lie said the mangolds Avere the finest ever grown on tfie farimi, and many specimens were sent into the- Winter S'lio-Av. It had been decided to keep 14 calves for rearing. Mr Stevenson said the , root crops were very creditable to' Messrs Glasson and Deem and to the manager, especialitv as they Avere groAvn in dirty groiind. The potash top-dressing experiments look as if they Avonld be the most- useful ever done- in Now Zealand, riicy Avould be gping for about three years. Mir Deem referred to the need of a U'C'Sii set of grass harrows, and it Avas agreed that the chairman be deputed to purchase a new set. Tire chairman, reporting on present conditions, said there were 38 cows, tAvO' having slipped, Avhile 12 heifer calves had been reared. The milk yield was 7881bS'. Carrots AA’Ould last about ten days, but ensilage wae finished and oats were being fed out. There were now eight young pigs -left. Hearty votes of thanks AArere accorded Mr Deem and Mr Glasson for their assistance and good work during the year. Mr Stevenson said they both shoAved- great keenness andl enthusiasm and the committee was a happy family. , . Air Glaistsion expressed appreciation for the vote, and said that he took a personal interest in the farm and felt as if he had a “ proprietary right in tiie business.” , Mr Deem endorsed these remarks, and said this little farm had developed in usefulness Arery much, and the work clone and to be done AA-ould make it known throughout the Dominion. STAFF. The Avork done by tlie assistant durin<T the past year Avhi'le the manager was ill is deserving of all parise, isaidl the chairman, and members agreed that recognition should be given, it was agreed to give the manager a bonus of £2O, and, "to bis aisisisfaTib £oAccounts totalling £35 9s- 4d AArere passed for payment.