CHOW MOELLIER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 148, 8 June 1932, Page 11

CHOW MOELLIER

VALUABLE FOOD. INCREASING MILK PRODUCTION. Chow Moellier Has been grown in this district by sheepfarmeis for a number of years in place of rape, but it is not generally known that this plant is valuable as a milk producer. A local dairyfarmer mentioned to our representative yesterday that, owing to the depredation of the moth on the foliage of his crop of Chow Moellier, he had decided to cease growing it. But after cold weather set in, and the moths had disappeared, the results from his dairy herd, when fed on the plant, had caused him to re-consider this decision. This farmer referred to had had splendid returns from his herd during the autumn months —having great difficulty in drying them off. This result had to be credited to his crop of Chow Moellier. Ou the Hastings flats this plaut will yield an enormous bulk of feed, being far less affected by dry weather than rape; also, its growth is not affected by cold weather. Being a gross feeder, it requires the land well cultivated and manured. It is also recommended to sow the seed in raised ridges, the same as mangolds. In favourable seasons the crop grows to between -Ift. and 6ft. high; therefore it is necessary to allow a distance of 3ft. 6ins. between the rows and 2ft. 6ins. between the plants. Chow Moellier seems to escape many of the diseases that makes the growing of rape such a hazardous crop, therefore dairy farmers would be well advised to grow a small area of Chow Moellier to stimulate their milk yield during the autumn months.