FARMERS’ UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21488, 10 November 1931, Page 13

FARMERS’ UNION

ADDRESS BY MR R. B. TENNENT The monthly meeting of the Green Island-Taieri Beach branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Brighton Hall last Thursday evening. The president (Mr D. MTntosh) occupied the chair. There was a good attendance of members.

Mr R. B, Tennent, fields superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, gave a very instructive address entitled “ Ryegrass Strains.” After referring to the very bad state of a lot of the Otago pastures, he emphasised the necessity for their improvement. He stressed the important place which perennial ryegrass has assumed as a foundation grass in New Zealand pastures, largely on account of its adaptability to varying soil and climatic conditions and its inherent ability of producing palatable foliage over a long period of the year. The recognition of this had resulted in ryegrass taking pride of place amongst the grass seed used in New Zealand. The South Island harvested approximately eight times the amount of perennial ryegrass seed which was harvested in the North Island. The figures for 1929-30 were as follow: —South Island. 8,801,9381 b; North Island, 1,120,7291 b. Otago and Southland produced last year 6.031,6371 b, practically two-thirds of the Dominion’s total production. Unfortunately for growers in Otago and Southland, investigation had shown that the bulk of the seed produced in these provinces was inferior and in many cases worthless. Mr Tennent then went on to show how farmers could work into the right strains and ensure that they were • sowing down permanent pastures. He explained what the Department of Agriculture was doing and gave details regarding various experiments carried out in Otago and Southland. At the close of his remarks Mr Tennent was asked many questions, and these he answered in a very capable manner._ A hearty vote of thanks was accorded him. Members were then given a short talk on matters affecting the successful running of the branch by Mr O. E. Niederer, after which supner was served. It was decided that the December meeting be held at Brighton.