FARM EXTENSION SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 89, 14 March 1934, Page 5

FARM EXTENSION SERVICE

SOME FACTORS IN SUCCESSFUL PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT.

Success in pasture establishment, always desirable, becomes particularly so when permanent pastures are the objective—the influence of any weakness which develops in a permanent pasture in its early stages is likely to extend not merely over .a season or so but throughout the life of the pasture. It seems at times to be overlooked, firstly, that there are several factors essential to full success in pasture establishment, and, secondly, that neglect of any one of these factors may readily lead to disappointing results from wise expenditure and practice in respect to all the other factors. In short, success in pasture establishment is but another case of the old tale about the chain being only as strong as its weakest link. Hence it seems worth while to discuss some of the links in the chain of factors that beget good pastures. Results much affected by time of sowing.—Of considerable moment is the time of sowing. Apart from districts in which relatively early heavy frosts occur autumn sowing of seed for permanent pastures is, on the results of field experience, much favoured. March sowings are considered generally to give the best results, chiefly because in March the soil frequently possesses the conditions of moisture and warmth which allow of rapid and vigorous establishment. The sowings which at times are made in late autumn or early winter are prone to be associated with poor establishment, especially of the clovers; a sowing which is too late by only a few days may give a markedly poorer sward than a similar one made far enough ahead of the 1 advent of conditions unfavourable to pasture seedlings. Companion Crops Generally Inadvisable. —Mention of companion crops, which are sometimes called nurse crops, is still pertinent, although such crops seem to be declining in favour. In general the sowing or companion crops such as oats with pasture seeds is not justified. At times such civ/j>s have been employed partly on the grounds that they provide shelter to the pasture seedlings. Aetna.*.,- they j readily provide too much shelter and reduce to an undesirable extent not, only the supply of soil moisture, but | also that of direct light, and of course j tho better the companion crop the more intense will be this undesirable effect. Hence, while the value of such companion crops as a means of obtaining additional early feed is undoubted, that value may be more than offset by the harmful effect of the crop oil the pasture —an effect which ordinarily would be felt over a number of years. Exceptional cases may justify the use of companion crops, and in these cases white oats or barley may suitably bo used. In the interest of the pasture, the amount of cereal seed used should be substantially less than if a cereal crop alone were being sown. FQUR MATTERS OF MOMENT. Some points of generaL moment in pasture establishment are: (1) Since the introduction of certification of seed, each year has given additional conclusive evidence that the use of certified seed is economically well worth while. (IQ ’the necessity for a tine firm seed bed is .great, neglect relative to tins is fruitful of unsatisfactory results.

(3) Topdressing at the time of sowing seed frequently contributes materially to vigorous successful establishment. As a rule it is well to topdress early—in time to prevent tne onset of deterioration instead of being faced with the need of topdressing later in on endeavour to repair a sward which has deteriorated. (4) The advisability of rolling at seed sowing time is governed by circumstances. One rule of some value is to roll under dry fine conditions and not to roll under wet conditions with frequent rain. Seed mixtures, of fundamental importance.—Seed mixtures which are most unsuitable are at times recommended for use. This is sometimes done honestly by persons who have not kept in touch with the .developments of the past several years in grassland work. At other times unsuitable mixtures seem to be recommended because they suit the business of the person giving the advice. It may readily be a costly matter to rectify a pasture weakness due to the use of an unsuitable mixture. For general guidance tlie following mixtures are recommended by Mr E. Bmice Levy, agrostologist, Department of Agriculture. MIXTURE FOR WIDE GENERAL USE. For wide use in both North and South' Islands on country with a carrying capacity which is or can economically be made at the rate of one cow to 2 or 3 acres or better, or at the rate of 2 to 3 ewes to the acre or better: —True perennial ryegrass, 20 to 251b5.; New Zealand cocksfoot, 10 to 151b5.; crested dogstail, 31bs.; Timothy, 31bs.; New Zealand white clover, 21bs.; red clover, 31bs.; total, 46 lbs. Amounts given in this and other mixtures are per aero. The smaller amount of ryegrass is to be used mainly when the summer rainfall is below that needed for good results with ryegrass, and under these conditions the larger amount of cocksfoot is advisable, as it also is when it would not be economically attractive to raise the fertility of the land by topdressing up to standard of fertility required by successful ryegrass. Under certain special conditions the foregoing mixture may with advantage be modified. The ’'following instances calling for modification are given by Mr Levy: On land of naturally high fertility where the permanence and good growth of ryegrass all the year round are assured, cocksfoot may be omitted. There is only a very limited area of such land. When the cocksfoot is omitted the amount of ryegrass may be increased advantageously to 40 lbs., the white clover to 3 lbs., and the other species omitted. Poa trivialis at tire rate of 21bs. per acre should be included on high-class country which is damp in the winter. Meadow-foxtail is a grass of high value on fertile swamps too wet in winter for success with ryegrass, and 61bs per acre should be included for sucli conditions ; but if it is at all possible to drain such land and make it suitable for ryegrass this should be done and ryegrass sown in preference. In many northern districts of the North Island paspalum at the rate of 61bs to 81bs. per acre may advantageously replace cocksfoot. Strawberry clover at the rate of lib to the acre may be added for salty marshy conditions, or it may be substituted for white clover on land too wet for the latter.

For temporary pastures of one to two years’ duration: —Italian ryegrass, 25 to 301b5.; red clover, Gibs; total. 31 to 361bs.

FOR TEMPORARY PASTURES.' For a temporary pasture to serve

as an autumn sown catch crop to be followed by another spring sown crop genuine 'Western Wolths on account of heavy early growth could usefully replace Italian ryegrass which, however, should he employed in all other temporary pastures other than autumn sown catch crops. SHORT ROTATION PASTURES.

For short-rotation pastures which are intended to have a life of two to three years:—ltalian ryegrass, 15 lbs.; perennial ryegrass, 151b5.; red clover, 41bs.; white clover, 21bs.; total, 361bs. Short-rotation pastures are useful mainly on farms on which, largely because of climatic conditions, arable crops instead of pastures are the dominant concern.

MIXTURES FOR BUSH BURNS. For sowing the primary burn out of the bush: —Cocksfoot, 81bs.; Italian reygrass, 41bs.; crested dogstail, true perennial rye, 121b5.; poa pratensis, lib.; browntop, IJlb.; White clover, 2lb's.; lotus major, lib. ; danthonia pilosa, 31bs.; total, 35Jlbs. For the sowing of secondary bush burns, typical bracken, hard fern and manuka burns:- —Perennial ryegrass, 81bs.; browntop, 21bs.; dogstail, 4lbs.; white clover, lib.; lotus major, lib.; danthonia pilosa, 31bs.; total, 191bs. Modifications of both of the bush burn mixtures already specified may at times be advisable. IMPORTANT POINTS.

To sun: up, relative to the important aspects of pasture establishment discussed above, the following facts are of seasonable interest:

(1) Success in pasture establishment depends upon net one, but upon several factors. Neglect of any one of these may largely nullify proper care and expense in re.-pect to all others. (21 Sowing must be carried out at a suitable lime; over wide areas March sowings give good results. (3) A fine, 'firm seed ben, the fruit of thorough early cultivation, is highly desirable.

(4) Suitable seed mixtures are essential, and unsuitable mixtures are widely recommended and used.