PASTURE IMPROVEMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27092, 28 May 1949, Page 2

PASTURE IMPROVEMENT

consolidatTon of soil

Consolidation <if the soil and compaction of the turf favours the establishment of certain high-yielding pasture species (notably ryegrass) at the expense of less productive grasses (sweet vernal). Heavy treading by stock is useful also in sod-bound pastures and for eliminating fern and other undesirable secondary growth. On wet, heavy soils, over-trampling cuts up the surface and leads to subsequent infestation by weeds and grasses of lower productivity (such as Poa trivialis). The grass that does remain is rendered dirty and unpalatable.

Where land gets very wet in winter the best plan is to graze the dry stock right off the property because of the great harm caused by pugging. Where no light land is available, there are two alternatives: (1) Abandon rotational grazing and put the stock in a fairly big field: or (2) confine stock to paddocks which are shortly to be ploughed, and to the driest portions of the farm. Some farmers have overcome the problem by stall-feeding over the worst of the winter poachingperiod.