WAIKATO PASTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 5

WAIKATO PASTURES.

"A DREAM FARM." RESULTS OF GOOD MANAGEMENT. During a visit to the Waikato, lately, Professor M. J. Scott, officer in charge of animal nutrition at the Lincoln College of Agriculture, [aid a visit to Mr. F. J. Farrell's farm at Horotiu. Referring to the appearance of the Waikato pastures, Professor Scott stated that the remarkable growth of winter grass on cultivated top-dressed and closely-grazed pastures was truly amazing. In sharp contrast to neighbouring paddocks, that were allowed to go to waste, tha per acre returns that were obtained from good management indicated that the development of the Waikato waa only in its infancy. Whether sheep or cows were used, the possibility of good management must be exploited with ail possible despatch. While dairying waa an established source of profit, sheep showed returns almost aa good, particularly in the case of a farm at Horotiu, which he had visited for the second time within a year. Ho referred to the property of Mr. F. J. Farrell, where 1000 sheep and 60 head of cat tie were being wintered 011 150 acres, and from which fat lambs were being turned off at the rate of 95 per cent, of ewes wintered. Such a high carrying capacity brought down tho rent charge per ewe carried to such ail extent that sheep must bo a very profitable business under these circumstances. It would be of considerable interest to the community, said Mr. Scott, to have the cost v.id " returns of this property carefully analysed. While the sheep position waa being exploited seriously at Lincoln College, climatic conditions were not favourable, and while the college waa satisfied with tho returns it was getting, it made one rather envious to see such splendid returns obtained on inferior land, properly managed, in the Waikato. Mr. Farrell'a farm he added, waa a model of good management, his system of harrowing and of rotational grazing being along lines which were to be commended. When in tho Waikato earlier in tho year he had described Mr. Farrell's property as "a dream farm." He still regarded it as such.