MORE CAN BE MADE OF GRASSLAND FARMING

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6622, 7 August 1931, Page 3

MORE CAN BE MADE OF GRASSLAND FARMING

Experts k Conference

DECISION TO CO-ORDINATE INTERESTS

The conference of .Department of Agriculture officers, grassland research workers, Agricultural College' representatives and others interested in grassland research was resumed in Palmerston North yesterday, Mr A. 11. Cockayne, assistant Director-General of Agricultlrc, presiding. Mr. It. P. Connell, of the Department of Agriculture, is acting as secretary. In pursuance of the objects outlined by the chairman when tho conference opened on Wednesday, it was reported that a committee had met to consider the forming of an association banding all grassland research interests and the drafting of a constitution. The secretary outlined the findings and recommendations of the committee and read the proposed rules. The objects of the association arc: To stimulate efficiency in the practice and science of grass farming by meetings, lectures and papers, circulation °,f°papcrs among members, and educational excursions; to enable workers to keep in touch with one another's work; to foster collaboration between workers; to simulate appreciation of the great scope for and national inipoitance of grassland advancement. Membership is to be open to grasland workers in research and advisory organisations and those who arc interested in the grass farming industry and who are considered by the committee as eligible. Mr. J. W. Deem moved that, an association to be known as “The Association for the Advancement of Grass Farming" be formed and the proposed rules adopted. This was seconded and discussed. Mr Cathie, representing the seed merchants, said he would like to see Ms group represented as members of the association, in order to obtain infoiillation of practical value for dissemination throughout tho trade. Ho stressed the need for the seed trade keeping in closer touch with the Department of Agriculture Tho chairman pointed out that such membership would include inteiests. Tho following officers ncrc then elected:—President, Mr Cockayne; secretary ami treasurer, Mr Connell; lion, auditor, Mr C. H. Schwass; committee, Messrs A. W. Hudson, F. L. Schrivener and J. W. II ad lie Id.

It was resolved that the next, meeting (the first annual meeting) be held at°Christchurch or Lincoln College in December next. All present signified their application for membership, and Mr Catliio indicated that two members of tho Seed and Grain Merchants’ Association waul'd bo included. Observation Plots Urged.

Four main points requiring the urgent attention of grassland research workers and other interests were stressed by the chairman. There were, said Air Cockayne, soils which ncrc responsive to superphosphate, some which were not, others which were responsive for a long time and tho remainder which were responsive for a short time. In the speaker’s opinion these divisions formed tho crux of grassland fertiliser 'research to-day, and ho strongly urged that, those interested should bend their energies towards securing observation trials which would show what type of fertiliser was required and what type of soil it should bo applied to. In advocating the extension of observation plots similar to those established some timo ago in Canterbury, Air. Cockayne stated that the great essential was that those taking up the work must not do so with preconceived ideas —tho chief need was to find out what was the herbage response to the use of different fertilisers cn different soils. Grass Seed Market. Following tho reading of an interesting paper by Air E. Bruce Levy, of the Department of Agriculture, on strain developments in New Zealand grasses, clovers, etc., in which the high values of certain of the Dominion’s seeds was stressed, a contribution to the subject of additional markets for Dominion products, namely seeds, was made by Mr A. C. Cathie, a representative of the Seed Merchants’ Association.

The chairman, Mr A. If. Cockayne, had enlarged upon Mr Levy’s remarks by stating that not only could. New. Zealand produce the highest quality of pasture seeds, but could produce them in commercial quantities. Discussing the paper, Mr. Cathie said that at present the concern was to .meet the demand. In respect of New Zealand while clover, the demand from British farmers alone exceeded the supply', and there was a good market awaiting increased exports. As to cocksfoot, the Akaroa seed was in good request, and the point was that merchants overseas asked for this type. Though seed grown in other parts of Now Zealand might bo equally as good, the difficulty was to overcome the name. ‘New Zealand’ would perhaps bo a. better term, as the Akaroa farmers could not supply Ihe market in full. Browntop, added Mr. Cathie, was not a seed which had been saved in laigo quantities in the past, and when the gathering of the seed had been extended and a market opened up in the United States, the authorities there had placed a stiff tariff on the product, which was eminently suitable for law'ns, bowling greens and the like, because, it was likely to interfere with tho sales of a domestic seed of a similar kind. Ho suggested that tho New Zealand Government take the matter up with the United States Authority. Even if the duty wore reduced to half it would allow the New Zealand farmer to benefit to tho extent of many thousands of pounds annually. Tho crops of chcwings fescue, added Mr. Cathie, ran from 500 tons to 1000 tons a year, and if the overseas market could be developed it would be of great benefit to New Zealand. He estimated tho value of tho crop in a normal season at £BO,OOO, and tho income from this source had saved many a farmer in the south. ■- Tho conference concluded last evening when Dr. Annett spoke on balanced manuring and balanced feeding. During the afternoon, delegates visited Massey College and tho Plant Eesearch Station area at Fitzherbert.