STUDY OF FARM

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32501, 8 November 1944, Page 5

STUDY OF FARM

KEREPEEHI DISTRICT MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS EXPERIENCES OVER A PERIOD (II) The problems of farm management and layout on the Hauraki Plains can best be seen by examining the layout and management of a typical dairy farm, writes Mr A. t V. Allo, instructor in Agriculture, Thames, in an article from the Journal of Agriculture. The area selected, may be a shade better than the average and was chosen simply because the farmer has been constantly trying new and better methods of management, and his experiences will prove of value to anyone wishing a closer knowledge of this district.

The farm, 74 acres in area, is on typical marine silt country in the Kerepeehi district. When taken over by the present owner 15 years ago, it was an undrained swamp of bush, scrub, raupo and rushes. In fact, 90,000 feet of white pine were milled oc the e area during the initial stages of breaking in. ’ Much stumping had to be done, the bulk of the stumps being matai and white pine.

Adequate Drainage

It had been found with all this country, that the main problem lies in providing adequate drainage. As with all swamps, extensive drainage had to be carried out so that the area could be developed at all. The problem on this farm was accentuated insofar as the ground level is slightly higher in the middle of the farm than it is at the front and backhand the system of drains had to be planned to overcome this difficulty.

The farm, which is long and narrow, has three drains running down its length, one on each side boundary and the other running down the centre. Each of the 22 paddocks is bounded by drains, which are all > doublefenced. In addition, the paddocks themselves are cut by shallow drains (only a few inches deep) which open on to the main fence-line drains. These shallow drains, situated about , one chain apart, are very wide, so that they may be crossed by farm implements. Establishment Of Pasture The farmer found that once he had his land drained there was no diffi-, culty in getting his pasture established. The area has all been in grass for several years and the pastures are particularly good, and a splendid advertisement for the fertility of .b country.

The seed mixtures used have varied somewhat during the years, the farmer altering his mixture as his experience of the country increased. His last sowing was a mixture of certified perennial rye 281 b, certified white clover 21b, paspalum 101 b, timothy 21b per acre.

There is ample strawberry clover in the pastures as a result of earlier sowings. ‘ Taking the pastures as a whole, the dominant species are ryegrass, white clover, paspalum, strawberry clover, cocksfoot, timothy and fog, while the main weeds are docks, some rushes, flatweeds and a little pennyroyal and buttercup. The farm is sub-divided into 22 paddocks, ranging in size from two and :i half acres to six acres. Shelter in the form of pampas hedges and plantations of bluegums and macrocarpas has been provided to some extent, aTthough this feature of the farm could, with advantage, be extended. Working The Farm

The farm lends itself admirably io being worked from one main race. This is 4ft 6in wide, fenced on either side, and is paved with a concrete strip 21in wide. The centre main drain runs alongside this race, which is perfectly negotiable in all weathers. Without this concrete strip it would • become a sea of mud in the winter. All the paddocks between the cowshed and the back boundary lead off this race. Gates are so swung that they open out into the race, which is thus blocked when the gates are opened. Consequently stock automatically cro into the correct paddock, and d‘ not wander down the race past this paddock. In. addition to the stock race, tlm farmer has had to devise some me (hod of taking implements to t*«' Mek of the farm. If the d’ajrram him fa’-m is stud’ed. it w” 1 noticed that the drains branching oiff from the centre drain towards the side boundary drains do not go rW |

up to these drains, stopping short about 14 feet. This 14 feet is closed by a Taranaki gate. Thus, if the farmer wishes to take his tractor to the back of the farm, he proceeds down one of the side boundary fences, going through these Taranaki gates. Thus a great deal of construction has been obviated. Rotational Grazing All paddocks are rotationally • grazed, the farmer’s practice being to stock into a fresh paddock daily. Regular harrowing is carried out and paspalum is topped in the summer when necessary . Ten acres of hay are cut yearly and are baled by an outside contractor. No ensilage is made nor is any cropping done. In fact, the amount of cropping done on the Plains is negligible. A few acres of maize and pumpkins are grown by some farmers, but in general grass is the sole mainstay of the stock. In common with most Plains farmers, the farmer has found it necessary to purchase a property on drier country to use in winter as a run-off. If such a run-off were not used, there is too great a danger of pastures being badly poached during a wet win>X' ter. The run-off attached to under discussion is is Patetonga district and is ? area, all in pasture. aad The in-calf are kept all young stock afj^ y pr®on this run dairy herd ta fit. Jn tn’d-Jnne until th® grazed calvine comA* md of^ alwayfl amn’e lb® rri ’Vdnrstt® the the net find it may do tW