Farmers’ Field Day

Northland Age, Volume 7, Issue 12, 17 December 1937, Page 10

Farmers’ Field Day

Government Veterinarian’s Talk to Farmers at Kaitaia

Mr. T. H. Hankin, Government Veterinarian, Whangarei, gave a talk on tuberculosis in cattle and afterwards held a demonstration on a diseased cow, at Kaitaia last week. He explained that the disease was due to tubercole bacilli which were spread from affected to healthy animals either through the respiratory or alimentary tracts. It was pointed out that the disease could be eradicated from a herd by systematic testing with tuberculin. The demonstration showed to what an extent a beast could become affected with tuberculosis and yet live to spread infection broadcast. Many of those present realised the losses that arise if tuberculosis becomes established in a herd and, when it is recognised that the disease is capable of control, the desirability of this control in a promising district, such as Kaitaia, is self evident. Thequestion of tuberculosis in pigs was then touched on and the lecturer pointed out the connection between bovine tuberculosis and tuberculosis in the pig It would appear, to prevent th great economic losses due to tuberculosis at present occurring in stock, more consideration should be given by farmers towards controlling the scourge. After exhibiting the ravages of tuberculosis as shown by the demonstration on the diseased beast, Mr. Hankin briefly described the various organs of the cow, referring at the same time to the common diseases that might affect them.

GRASS AND CLOVER STRAIN TRIALS AT WAIHARARA Talk by Instructor in Agriculture There was a large attendance at Waiharara last week when Mr. E. B. Glanville, Instructor in Agriculture at Whangarei, conducted a tour of inspection of the grass and clover strain trial plots, which have been laid down on Mr. J. Stewart’s property. He explained and commented on the progress made by each plot in which different strains had been sown. Prior to inspecting each plot individually, Mr. Glanville explained briefly the work which should be done to ensure the best pastures being produced. There were three essential points brought out by Mr. Glanville, thorough cultivation, early sowing with good seed and adequate plant food in the form of lime and phosphate. The main factor when establishing pastures is to be certain of good early establishment of white clover, without white clover the other grasses will not thrive. White clover is our index plant, and if it is not included in a grass seed mixture, or successfully established then you can say goodbye to the pasture. On country which will not grow white clover a legume such as subterranean clover or lotus major must be encouraged. hood for Other Grasses Mr. Glanville said that on practically any land which could be ploughed, there white clover could be grown. On hill country lotus major could be established, and on very dry country subterranean clover could be grown. White clover required a consolidated

seed bed for good establishment, and this could only be obtained by thorough cultivation and the use of the Cambridge roller. The object of having a legume such as white clover in the sward was to supply plant food in the form of nitrogen to the other grasses.

On gum country, it had been found that it was impossible to prepare a correct seed bed without two plough - inigs. The idea was that the seed bed needed to be consolidated from the bottom upwards, eliminating all air spaces, which should not be present in a correctly formed bed. Rolling was necessary on light land such as volcanic and consolidated sand, but if the cultivation of heavy lands such as gum land and the clay flats was carried out thoroughly it was often not necessary to rolj. In regard to seed, there was certified and uncertified, and there was no need, Mr. Glanville said, to reiterate which was best. Early sowing combined with good seed, was most important. The best time for sowing was in February, and certainly not later than the middle of March or it would be a gamble with weather conditions the aim being to obtain a good white clover establishment before cold winter weather came in. Fertiliser Problem In regard to fertilisers, this was a problem which had to be considered according to soil type. Some soils respond to lime, others to basic slag and others to super and lime. Recent research showed that the older the soil type the more necessary it was

to use lime. On the majority of Northern soils lime was definitely necessary in conjunction with phosphate, he said. The lime did not actually give a response, but made the phosphate available as plant food by providing the neces-

sary calcium, which was essential to protect the phosphoric acid from being locked up by other elements, such as iron. If that happened the response from phosphates was very disappointing.

Of the 30 plots the first six were sown in rye grass strains, including certified mother seed, certified permanent pasture and short-lived types. With these was sown mother seed white clover. The point brought out by Mr. Glanville in connection with these plots, was the necessity for establishing white clover, as, without this the other grasses did not develop into a good pasture at all. The difference in the strains of rye-grass, especially the shortlived types was very noticeable, indicating clearly that it definitely pays to use certified seed.

The next five plots were sown in various strains of cocksfoot,including Akaroa, Plains and imported strains. Of these the trials showed how superior the Akaroa strain was to the others with the imported strains making poor growth and producing only a small amount of herbage. The cocksfoot strains were sown with a mixture of certified permanent ryegrass 25 lbs., Italian ryegrass 5 lbs., certified white clover 3 lbs., and Montgomery red clover 3 lbs. per acre. Further plots were sown with different strains of white clover. The strains included certified mother seed, certified permanent pasture, New Zealand ordinary, Kentish wild white and imported Dutch.

The outstanding feature was that the certified mother and permanent pasture had established well, and were producing a large leafy type of white clover with a vigorous habit of growth

whereas the New Zealand ordinary had made only a fair strike, the plants being small and lacking in vigour, and in no way tightening up the sward, as in the certified strains. The Kentish wild white, a small-leafed clover, showed vigorous growth and was 1 tightening up the sward, giving the impression that it would be jib excellent clover for sheep pasture. The plot which was sown with imported Dutch showed that this strain was a very poor type. It was small, stunted and open and had established badly. It was noticeable in this plot that the ryegrass was lacking in vigour through not being supported by the companion of a good type of white clover. In this plot the ryegrass was harsh and had an unpalatable looking appearance, bringing out the point that Mr. Glanville was stressing, that success in growing good ryegrass or establishing a highly productive pasture definitely depended on good establishment of strong growing good

type white clover such as was obtained when using certified seed. A number of plots were also sown in red clover, including certified Montgomery Red l and others in Broad Red. Montgomery Red is a fairly new type and Mr. Glanville showed the difference between the two types. Montgomery Red was fairly late, a tight growing plant with smaller leaves than Broad Red. Growing closer to the ground, it was a more permanent type. Other plots included in addition to the base mixture, strawberry clover, alsike, timothy, crested dogstail, subterranean clover and paspalum. Mr. Glanville identified the various species and explained the soil condition under which each should be sown.

Motor Campers At this period in previous years quite a number of motor campers were to be seen on the roads in the North, but so far this year, very few have been noticed although for some weeks past the weather has been generally fine. It is anticipated that this year will see a record number oi motor campers touring the North, and in preparation for this influx of visitors, improvements have been carried out to the majority of the recognised camping grounds.