DAIRYING IN NORTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22010, 17 January 1935, Page 11

DAIRYING IN NORTH

PROMISING OUTLOOK OUTPUT. OF BUTTER GREEN FEED ABUNDANT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent! DARGAVILLE, Wednesday Indications are that, in contrast to the experience in some parts of the Auckland Province, the output of butter from the Northern Wairoa, Kirikopuni and Ruawai factories will show an increase this season. The Ruawai company's output at the end of December actually showed an increase over the same period of last season, while the output of the other two factories was only a few tons below the previous season's figure. The small deficits, however, ; have almost been overtaken as a result of rain and other favourable conditions which have boon experienced since. There is now an abundance of feed, and conditions are much more promising than at this period last year, so that thero is every possibility of the output for the 1934-35 season showing an increase. Although the aggregate payout at November 30 was considerably lower than last season, the increased price for butter-fat since that date has been so much better than the price for the same period last year that, if it should hold until the end of tho season, tho aggregate payout will be approximately the same as last season, or even a little better.

Contrary to expectations the grass in the flooded area of the Kirikopuni district is coming away well. It is noticed, however, that the grass grub has taken hold of this area, but when the pastures are mown the starlings do good work in eradicating the grubs. Tho areas not mown show the ravages of the grub badly, only tho stalks of paspalum being left.

Late and second crops of hay are now being stacked in many parts of the district, and some excellent yields are being obtained. The weather has been good for haymaking, the showers which have fallen occurring chiefly at night. Much early hay was lost in the rain which fell just prior to Christmas. Taking tho district as a whole, however, there never has been such an abundance of green pasture, and many farmers have feed to spare. ABNORMAL GROWTH OF GRASS GREATEST FOR MANY YEARS [from our own correspondent] KAKTAIA, "Wednesday The far northern district has experienced a most abnormal season this summer in that the growth of feed has been greater than has been experienced for many years. So abundant is the feed that some dairy farmers on the flat lands are forced to cut all their grass, as it is becoming too rank for food value. In all parts of the district farmers are taking full advantage of the fine weather and are getting in their-hay and ensilage. This work was interfered with by the wet weather during the latter part of December. Record cuts of hay are being reported, tho highest yet recorded being that from tho Morpeth Estate, near Kaitaia,. where the yield is about 6i tons to the acre, 40 tons being cut from a 6i-acre paddock. Two stacks have been built, each measuring 35ft. by 22ft. by 24ft. high. This paddock, which contains mostly English grasses, was thoroughly disced and harrowed last autumn, then heavily manured with rock and shell lime, and super mixed with Italian rye and clover seeds. The paddock was shut up on November 1 and when cut at the beginning of January the grass was fence high, with abundant leaves. The grass has grown in this paddock 6in. since it was cut a week ago. It is intended to again lime the paddock and in three weeks it should be throwing heavy feed again for the owner's dairy herd. Another farmer on the Awanui Road reports that this year he cut more hay off a five-acro paddock than he did off 10 acres last year, while a third farmer cut over 25 tons of hay off less than five acres. This paddock was chiefly paspaliun grass and clover, the paspalum being 4ft. high and the lotus major 3ft. Off an adjoining paddock another farmer is making a large haystack as well as an ensilage jtack, the yiejd being about 5£ tons to the acre. OPERATIONS AT TAURANGA ' HEAVY CROP OF LUCERNE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] TAURANGA, Wednesday Although haymaking has been completed on many farms in the 'Tauranga district there is still a fair acreage to be harvested. Lucerne stands are now ready for the fourth cut, and tho crop will bo very heavy, as the hot weather suits lucerno, which is deep-rooted.