FARMING IN THE WAIKATO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21247, 29 July 1932, Page 5

FARMING IN THE WAIKATO

AN IMPROVED OUTLOOK FAVOURABLE WINTER WEATHER [from our own correspondent] Hamilton. Thursday The weather this winter has been favourable for farming. There has been an absence of constant rain and cold winds, and the cattle have not suffered to the same extent as in previous winters. The dry weather experienced last autumn was responsible, for the disappearance of much roughage in the pastures, on which the dairy farmer depends to a certain extent for his -winter feed, nevertheless tho stock in tho South Auckland district has wintered well. Good reserves of hay and ensilage were stacked during the summer, and these are now being drawn on, and have enabled the farmers to make up the shortage caused by the frosts having checked the growth in the pastures. Should anything , like, favourable conditions bo experienced in the spring a much better season than that of last year is anticipated. Dairy farmers are improving their methods of farm management, and are subdividing their areas with the object of giving their stock frequent changes of pasture. By rotational grazing the herds can be added to without danger of over-stocking. A year ago many farmers felt they could not afford to top-dress their pastures owing to the lack of money available, but the last season's experience has taught th«m the lesson that, in the Waikato'at any rate, it is a false economy not to top-dress. The curtailment in the use of fertilisers during the autumn before last had a pronounced bearing on production, for the average yield of the 106,290 cows tested by the New Zealand Co-operative Herd-testing Association last season was only 231.471b. butter-fat, as against an average of 243.941b. for ' 1930-31, and 262.731b. for 1929-30. Some idea of the extent to which tho value of fertiliser is appreciated may be gauged from the fact that, during last autumn, one Waikato company alone distributed manures valued at £40,700, whereas during the previous autumn ifc sold manures to the value of only £27,000. The price per ton was about the same for both seasons. From a tour through the farming area* surrounding Hamilton, it is seen that chain harrowing has been .neglected on some farms. This easy means of reviving pastures should be resorted to regularly and frequently, particularly at. the present time, when cattle gather in small areas to consume the hay fed put to them. The trail of tho grass grub is noticei able in many places. Small patches of apparently burnt or dried-up pasture reveal its destructive habits. In dealing with this pest chain harrowing is effective, especially in frosty weather. The harrows expose the grub to the frost, which soon kills it. It is advisable to feed out hay in tho paddocks where the grass grub has made its appearance, for the cattlo will consolidate the ground, and the seed from tho hay will germinate and produce new growth. Another feature of primary production in tho Waikato this winter is the increased number of sheep farmers who have .commenced dairying in a small way in order to supplement their returns. . Farmers generally are looking forward to 4 the coming season with optimism.