LUCERNE PROBLEMS

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7198, 22 April 1930, Page 9

LUCERNE PROBLEMS

Crop of Great Merit While there are conditions in tho Dominion under which it would not bo advisable to endeavour to grow lucerne, there are many other conditions under which lucerne would prove a very profitable crop. Unfortunately, lucerne is not at all a general crop under these latter widespread conditions, and this, despite the fact that large numbers of farmers arc having outstanding success with tho crop nnd thereby setting the example which others might be expected to follow. However, there is some satisfaction in tho fact that lucerne is each yoar boing given greater attention. This is shown by tho latest available official figures, which disclose an i.nerease in the Dominion luccrno acreage of 1550 acres for the year ending March, 1929. The year ending Alarch, 1930, was marked by a similar or greater incroaso in lucerne acreage, judging from the activity of the Plant Research Station in respect to cultures for soil inoculation for lucerne; cultures for lucerne growing wore supplied to 208 farmers in quantities sufficient to treat 17,8001 b. of seed. This by itself is indicative of a substantial increase in the lucerne acreage. In some quarters tho opinion is held that modern methods of grassland utilisation make it inadvisable to grow lucerne. Under many conditions this opinion involves an over-optimistic estimate of what can be accomplished by grassland management. This latter fact has been driven home particularly well during the current season’s dry period. During that dry period the farmer whose grassland management was good fared better than those whose management was inferior, but all the same he would have beuefited greatly by a supply of the fresh green feed that would have been provided by lucerne.

Tho great merit of lucerne is not only that it gives a heavy yiold of particularly high-class forage, but also that it can bo depended upon to produce this high-class forago freely at critical periods when most other crops arc very likely to fail in their supply. A further valuable feature of lucerne is that the feed it provides can be readily conserved as hay for futuro use if it is not required in the form of green feed when it becomes available (luring summer. It is surely significant, that one of the farms outstanding in the Dominion in point of production of butter-fat depends not on liigh-clasr. pasture management, but on high-class pasture management in conjunction with lucerne.

It is further significant that, although it would be difficult adversely to .comment on the pasture management of this farm, yet the owner has rcceritlv extended his area sown in lucerne. This is the farm of Mr. B. Zurchcr, Longburn, on which a production of 26Slb. of buttcr-fat per acre has been obtained. Over extensive areas, irrespective of how efficient pasture utili- . sation may be, a field of lucerne is a valuable and economical aid toward assuring completely, efficient summer feeding in dairying. The outstanding value of lucerne may be fittingly considered at the present time, because it. will soon bo advisable to undertake tho selection and the .preparatory cultivation of fields to be sown in lucerne in the spring. For lucerne, the field selected should be in good heart, relatively free from weeds, well drained and conveniently situated for tho saving of hay and ensilage and for the cutting and carting out of green feed, very often old lea.land will fulfil theso requirements. If lea land is set aside for lucerne it will usually be advisable to skim plough it lightly or disc it in the autumn or early winter.