DEVELOPING PASTURES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4951, 4 February 1937, Page 3

DEVELOPING PASTURES.

The value of the principle of rotational grazing cannot be emphasised too much. The system of resting a field after being rapidly eaten down encourages maximum production of grass and hence maximum food production. With continuous close grazing leaf production is discouraged, and when this is done the development of a vigorous rooting system is checked. This is of special significance in the development of new pasture. A recent English experiment emphasises the importance of this fact. Five different pastures were equally divided. One part was closely and severely cropped, either by grazing or mowing, while the other parts were leniently treated. After the first season the root systems were critically examined. The grass leniently treated had an average of 63 per cent, more roots by weight than the severely cropped ones. Just as restriction of leaf production prevents root development so poor root development checks the production of leaf. Both leaf and root must be encouraged if the best result is to be obtained.