Intensive Farming By Feilding Dairymen

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7210, 17 July 1933, Page 3

Intensive Farming By Feilding Dairymen

STALL FEEDING ON 20-ACRE HOLDING A COW TO THE ACRE PROPOSITION The heights to which farm production have reached in New Zealand are still a long way short of those which will follow when real intensive farming is generally applied. Favoured by exceptional climatic conditions farmers have, generally speaking, been content to rely upon Nature's bounteous gift without any practical appreciation of tho potential production of their holdings arising from intensive activity. Supplementary fodder cropping and the use of artificial fertilisers are two clearly marked stages in the development of our pastoral farming, both making for increased carrying capacity and demonstrating, along with tho application, of pasture management, the productive capabilities of our wonderfully fertile soils. Even this activity and the results produced have failed to overcome land and pasturo wasteago but tney arc pointing to the next stage of efficient farming—that of real intensive land management. Taking shape in Feilding is a small dairy farm which is definitely embracing all three phases of pastoral development and which may substantiate « fair claim to being the first in the North Island to introduce the stall feeding of dairy cows. Climatic conditions in England and in Europe oblige farmers to provide winter quarters lor their cattle and generally to adopt the principles of intensive farming, but in New Zealand the urge to follow suit arises from a realisation of the enormous capacity of the land. Some sheep farmers, and there are notable instances in the Marton uistrict, have achieved remarkable carrying capacities on small holdings and whilo substantial improvements have been recorded in the carrying capacities of dairying lands there still remains room for greater numbers by the employment of intensive farming. Just on 12 years ago Mr. C. F. -Bailey, of Root street, Feilding, took up a 20acre section of heavy land mostly covered with native rushes and commenced dairying. From improving the pastures to supplementary fodder cropping Mr. Bailey has developed his holding to tho stage where he now stalls his stock for the winter months. He recently completed the building of the spacious accommodation planned to bring under one roof the stalls for the cows, the milking bails and the dairy and separating room. On Saturday a. “Times” representative was shown over this noteworthy development in present-day dairying activity which has already demonstrated its immense advantages. Tho substantial building is laid out to provide for efficient and economic management. With its concrete foundations and lloor, corrugated iron roof and walls, it is a model of perfect planning. The stalls face the centre from each wall and the space down the centre of the building is provided with a tram track on which a small truck runs to bring in the hay or other fodder for the cows. Thus feeding is reduced to the lightest possible task find what is of the utmost importance, feed wastage is reduced to a negligible quantity. It could be said that under the system introduced by Mr. Bailey feed wastage has been entirely eliminated and the cows no longer have the chance of spoiling their hay, mangels or swedes, as was the case when these stock foods ■were strewn about the paddocks. And, furthermore, the cows are under cover standing on clean, dry straw and experiencing a degree of contentment never before experienced. Just how far these conditions will influence milk production is no matter for speculation. Mr. Bailey reported that an increase took place almost immediately and this is the first winter he has been able to carry on without having to purchase outside milk. The cows certainly appeared to bo most confortable on (Saturday aud can count themselves as the most fortunate of beasts in escaping the heavy rains over the week-end. The stalling accommodation is ear off from the rest of tho building by a wide passage way beyond which are tho bails with all modern equipment and a dehorning bail. Next is the milk room—a whitewashed, spotlessly clean offico fitted with everything calculated to keep the milk pure and at the lowest temperature. A constant and adequate water supply is maintained by an electric pump drawing supplies from underground some distance away from me building. Special care has been taken to provide for adequate drainage ana it would appear that the planning has left nothing to be desired. Mr. Bailed is at present carrying 15 milking cows and when his present plans are complete he will be carrying a cow to tho acre as well as other stock. The area is at present divided into 10 paddocks and ho proposes to subdivide to inaks 20 paddocks which will be used for cropping and pastures. With the housing of the cows the bulk Of the land is left for the production of food and tho organisation ho proposes will reduce to anabsolute minimum feed wastage—a really very largo item on almost every farm. One lias only to appreciate how much hay and green feed is lost when it is carted out to tho paddocks and deposited there for the stock in wet weather to realise the real sovings which will accrue t.o Mr. Bailej under his scheme. There is still a lot of work to be done in improving the surroundings and this is under way with an enthusiasm shared by both Mr. an Mrs. Bailey. Feilding should know that a large quantity of its milk supply is drawn from this very up-to-date dairy farm which is located just on the borough boundary.