DISEASE IN GRASS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22107, 13 May 1935, Page 11

DISEASE IN GRASS

PASPALUM PASTURES DAIRY FARMERS CONCERNED [from our own correspondent] TE AROHA, Saturday The effects of the disease that has lately attacked the paspalum grass is now evident in the Northern Waikato district as far as Ngarua and Waitoa. It is causing considerable concern among dairy farmers, many of whom know the value of the grass as pasture feed during dry and hot seasons. As yet the disease has been noted only on seeding paspalum. It is shown by a sticky substance extending along the seed stalks. Fortunately it has not spread in a general sense, but where it is evident it is considered to be serious. Land owners state that they find that a resultant sickness from feeding on the diseased grass is not evident among horses or sheep, being confined to cattle, including dairy cows and calves. The signs noticeable among these cattle is a staggering motion when walking and a drooping of the hindquarters. No losses of stock have yet been reported in the Te Aroha district. It is s£ated that the Department of Agriculture has advised farmers to take their cattle off the affected paddocks. Now that the winter frosts have begun it is expected that the disease will be greatly lessened as the seed stalks will quickly die off. During the past season, owing probably to the exceedingly dry weather from December to February, the paspalum was later than usual in throwing out its long seeding stalks. Consequent upon the effects of the disease farmers will next season make a special effort to prevent seeding, which should only be evident in closed paddocks.