When To Topdress

Northern Advocate, 30 September 1943, Page 5

When To Topdress

A summary to date of a trial to demonstrate the number of applications of phosphate a year, with the first three years’ records of grazing available, is:— (1) There is no significant difference between one heavy autumn dressing, and one light spring application, the latter applied either early or late. (2) A study ot the grazing figures reveals some marked differences as to times of the year when the feed is produced. It is thus possible by varying the time of application and the amount of fertiliser used, to vary the amount of feeci produced, provided of course the growing conditions are suitable. (o) Fertiliser applied and not utilised by pasture plants because of adverse growing conditions is not generally wasted but is used when conditions are again favourable. These results, although more applicable to normal times, could be utilised even with the present rationed supplies of fertiliser. The farmer could’ apply fertiliser at a time when he required more feed than would grow naturally and avoid stimulating the seasonal flush. Favours Serpentine

Mr Arnold reported that the application of serpentine super plus lime was proving well worth while, and confirmed the results previously obtained on the experimental plots on the farm. On both soil types present definite evidence was available that, pound for pound, serpentine super was equal or superior to straight super. To offset the dry Conditions and reduction of fertiliser, pasture management was intensified with beneficial results. The main practices again being adopted to their fullest possible extent were controlled grazing, harrowing in the wetter months, topping the rough growth and seed-heads in the summer and early autumn, and saving’ the winter growth for the early calvers. Supplementary Food It was aimed to select each year sufficient areas to be closed for hay to provide at least lOcwt. of good hay per head for dairy stock to. be wintered on the farms. In addition it was desired that a sufficient area be cut for ensilage to provide supplementary feed to use with the hay in the late winter and early spring, and also to provide succulent milk-pro-ducing feed to assist pasture production in the summer and autumn. Because of difficulty in procuring extra labour when required, it was not possible to make ensilage. but 13cwt of hay was made available for every head of stock, young and old. „ . Three acres of turnips yielded 69 tons and this crop provided good milk-produc-ing feed during the exceptionally dry summer and autumn.

A yield of 95 bushels an acre was obtained from IV2 acres devoted to maize, following grass. The grain was used for winter pigs while a selected quantity was available for sale as seed maize. Each year further selection work was carried out and the cropping power of the maize is showing progressive improvement. Pumpkins were also grown for pigs. Reports show that the revenue from the sale of butterfat and pigs decreased by £469. due mainly to the reduced number of cows milked and, to a lesser extent, to a flood, the drought, and reduced fertiliser. Sundry sales, particularly of seven acres of pumpkins grown on contract for the armed forces, helped to counteract this and the net profit decreased by only £7 to £73. A . The committee in its report said that expenditure had risen but work performed was much less than last year. Costs of this work were steadily rising and materials in many cases were increasingly difficult to obtain. During the year' £274 had been spent in experimental Work, of which £250 had been subsidised by the Government.