GRASSLAI FARMING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 12

GRASSLAI FARMING.

Early cut hay is decidedly of more value than late cut hay. Why? it may he asked. Simply because its value as a stock food depends directly on the amount of protein it contains, and this in turn depends largely on the time at which it is cut. When we go off the farm to buy foodstuffs it is usually those containing nitrogenous matter (proteids or albuminoids) which are required, and we should therefore make good use of young pasturage. Then, too, young grass is much more digestible than old grass or hay. This explains the highly nourishing character of rich pastures in the early summer months, during which the animals are continually grazing upon fresh young shoots of the herbage, all of which goes

to prove that it is more economic to grsjze pastures under a rotation system rather than allow the stock to wander where they please and permit the grass to grow anyhow under the system known as extensive grazing in contradistinction to that termed intensive grazing.

Investigations carried on in England have led to the conclusion that dipping pastures that have not been fully stocked is a good practice. In a good growthy season, where the land is fertile and there ere not enough animals to eat the grass reasonably close, it is not uncommon for a certain percentage of the plants to go to seed. It is the tendency

of all plants to die when the seeds are formed. One of the great principles of life is to reproduce and die. If the pasture is clipped before blooming new grass shoots will appear. These young shoots are richer in protein ami are more palatable and digestible than older herbage. Everyone knows that when pastures are permitted to go to seed a high percentage of grass will not be eaten. If it is not feasible to cut the entire pasture in a paddock, a small area should be cut, and then observe how the cows will take to this part of the pasture, rather than to grass on the part that has gone to seed. The ripening of the plant not only tends to cause it to die, but to lock up the nourishment in the stem, making it less digestible, and reducing the percentage of protein. Grasses, like Timothy or cocksfoot, make a good pasture, but made into hay gives us a poor stockfood. Tender pasture grass is very rich in protein, and cutting (mowing) tends to keep the pasture in the best condition for the production of milk and general fattening qualities. Provided there is wise fertilisation, heavy stocking, and systematic mechanical treatment, it will be found that the pasture will be greatly improved, weeds eliminated to a great extent, and, generally, satisfactory results obtained. The young fresh herbage is not only richer in protein, but contains less fibre than pasture in which plants are found at all stages of growth. Given good pastures we may confidently expect to secure healthy stock. It is one of the rules of Nature that everything comes from the soil, and later returns to the soil. The particular phase of this cou-

tinuous cycle which vitally concerns the farmer and stockowner is that of condition of crops and pastures and health of the stock. There is a natural affinity between live stock and that which grows from the soil. One depends upon the other, and it is the regulation of an evfen balance of what is taken from the soil and that which is returned to it that makes for a continuous and efficient system of farming. Grass is flesh—and so is the bone. Stock grows better on some soils than on others. The pastures may be similar in appearance, but their feeding values .vary, and it is due, in large measure, to the fact that some pastures lack the

minerals essential for healthy stock. The bone-chewing habit of some cows, for instance, is indicative of a lack of phosphate of lime in the soil, resulting in lack of this mineral in the herbage. All cities consume large quantities of meat, and there is much bone residue which should be returned to the soil if its fertility is to be maintained. The export of thousands of tons of lamb, mutton, beef, and dairy produce tends to make the country so much the poorer, but even so, provided we fertilise wisely, the fertility of the soil can be replenished. Stock have been raised on the grass year after year; they grew the bone and covered it with flesh from what they got out of the grass. If the bone is put back we are doing something, but not enough. Something more than phosphorus is required—viz., potash and nitrogen. Then we will find that more grass of quality will result, but if the land is grazed year after year and nothing put back, it is like drawing on the bank account without making provision for the overdraft. There must be ah end to feeding off grass without refertilising it, and better use made of our present grazing lands. Otherwise, the stockowner will be faced with stock troubles. In an article in the Australian Farm and Home, the writer, while advocating better pastures and healthier stock, asks the question, Why not look after-the stock first and then see to the grass? and continues: “The stock will eat bonemeal (not bone-dust, but specially, prepared cattle bone-meal), and they will begin to pick up. Bone-meal placed where the stock can get at it will soon be found by them. Do not wait until’ some more

die and their carcasses fertilise the land, but send for a bag of bone-meal right now and help them to pull through. Then attend to the pasture dressing. Bone-meal at once and fertiliser to follow will help the owner to shake off that worried look.” Maminitis, im-J pactioii, cripples, paralysis, and digestive troubles of all sorts with cows, sheep, and lambs dying suddenly—such almost incurable troubles arise from overlooking the fact that the stock lack minerals owing to the land having grown poor.

It is common on many farms for animals to spend the whole summer on the same pasture, and the results,

naturally enough, are not always satisfactory. Frequent changes of pasture and surroundings make for growth and development essential to profitable grazing.