DAIRYING IN ROTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19677, 1 July 1927, Page 16

DAIRYING IN ROTORUA.

SOME PROSPEROUS FARMS. TOUR MADE BY VISITORS. DELEGATES TO CONFERENCE. [BT TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] ROTORUA. Thursday During their visit to Rotorua a large number of the dairy conference delegates formed a party and visited farms in the immediate neighbourhood of the tdwn. Residents and farmers provided cars for the convenience of the visitors.

As the party proceeded along the Whakatane Road a vista of land eminently suited for dairying was seen. Drained swamp and rich upland vied with each other in displaying verdant grasses and clovers, clearly demonstrating the possibilities of the lands now lying idle and unimproved.

After going about 12 miles the party halted at Mr. Pethybridge's farm and were conducted by tho owner over tho property. Keen interest and surprise was displayed in tho results achieved on this land. The fa nr. Is solely used for grazing. The luxuriance of the pastures, the fat, sleek skins of tho cattle, showed what the land was capable of. Mr. Pethybridge said the previous owner ha<d not done any top-dressing, but ho had found that by using about 2cwt. to 3cwt. of manure occasionally and by stocking judiciously with sheep and cattle, his carrying capacity was considerably increased, as was his output of fat stock. What was more satisfactory, his profits were greater.

On the return trip til© Te Ngae Farm was passed. Remarks of approval were passed on the appearaflce of the paddocks with the heavy crops of swedes and the large number of sheep fattening. The grass paddocks had a bright green, healthy look, and the shelter belts of timber and neat hedgerows were \ very pleasing. The next farm visited was that of Messrs. C. Gee and Sons. A tour of' the paddocks was made, the owner explaining the age of the pastures and the method of treatment. The heavy sole and healthy look of the pastures attracted close attention, and the remark was made by a number of visitors that this must be due to heavy manuring. Mr. Gee' Baid he applied only 2jcwt. of manure an acre a year,, much to the astonishment of the gathering. • Mr. Gee said that on his holding of 500 acres he was then carrying 500 breeding ewes and 160 cows, besides heifers and calves. It was not necessary for him to grow swedes, and he only gave his cows hay during July and August, all the feeding being done on grass. The shining and contented appearance of the herd proved, if proof were wanting, that they were being well treated. In speaking of results the owner said he had been herd-testing for a number of years, and using bulls of the very best obtainable quality from a butterfat point of view. The increased production per head of his herd well repaid the labour and expense involved, some of his cows now yielding 4601b. butter-fat a year.

During the trip the guests wero given short addresses on various questions by local farmers, crop-raising, breaking-in of country, and the prospects of the district being principally dealt with. In the evening a fleet of cars was provided to convey the delegates to Ngongotaha, where they were hospitably entertained by the settlers of the surrounding district. A most enjoyable social was tendered and the party broke up at a late hour.