GRASSLAND FARMING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17229, 8 April 1930, Page 10

GRASSLAND FARMING

CONDITIONS IN P.B. MISTAKE TO OMIT MANURES “The low prices of wool will probably limit the application of immures on large areas, but on land which responds liberally ,ij- would be a mistake to omit rational fertilisation,” declared Dr. lb !,. Freeman, of the Department of Agriculture, when visiting Poverty Day a few days ago. He added that it was his deepest conviction that the country was not producing anything like what it should or what it would with the proper attention. In making these comments, he outlined the requirements of Poverty Day and coastal areas in respect of fertilisation, drainage, shelter, and rotation:!l grazing.

With the fanning relying mainly on grass to feed his cattle, for the areas reserved for crops .represented only small proportions of the farms, he said, the value of iTticieiii pasture maintenauce could not be too highly stressed. It was gratifying that with highly fertile soil and an equable

eliinale, Poverty Day had the foundation for the best pastures in the Dominion. The pasture here would probably play a more important part in the rural economy of the district than had been the case in the past, and their judicious management would be rellectefl in Iho increased prosperity of the local .population in both town and country. Drainage and Shelter linportanl factors in the production •of a luxuriant, pasture included a fertile soil, a favorable climate, adequate drainage, shelter, rational fertilisation, judicious stocking, and weed .suppression. Kefoimng to drainage. J)r. .Freeman ■said that bind which lay too wet was cold, warmed tip slowly in the spring, and did no[ favor the growth of early

grass, the loss of which meant less revenue for the farmer. There was less vigorous growth on umlrained land than on well drained soil, with consequently a difference in the carrying capacity, while'the‘ growth of water inhabiting vegetation was induced sometimes to cover considerable areas of land. In addition, stagnant and sour' conditions prevailed, hindering the .sat is fa dory functioning of specific fertilisers and also the growth of clovers.' Excessive moisture also may result in the "shallow rooting of pasture plants which, with less depth of roots to seek plant food, were not so well equipped to withstand a drought, while the absence of ventilation made the conditions less favorable for the release of plant, food's for the grass.

The value of shelter on a farm could not bo 100 greatly stressed, ho added. Appropriate shelter changed the, local climate; as the farmer could readily realise ,i 1: he stood on both the windward and leeward side when a. bleak wind was blowing. With shelter the conditions were better for both past are and stock, providing an earlier spring growth ami preventing injury to pastures from diving winds. Rational Fertilisation As the fertility 'of the soil was being extracted daily by the stock, he added, .rational fertilisation was 'important in pasture maintenance. Lack of fertilisation deteriorated the paslures with a loss of activity, verdancy, productivity and nutrition, besides- being less appetising, and deteriorating' the value of the land with a smaller capacity. Judicious fertilisation would improve the pasture from various aspects, one point being the stemming of the invasion of the lower producing grasses, which were replaced by a sweeter herbage which gave a greater milk flow. ,

Discussing the attributes of leading fertilisers, he said he would like to see every farmer in the Dominion an possession of a simple key- ho advocated I for the ,'purpase of ascertaining the in anuria I needs of their particular soils. He regarded this as being more valuable than the analysis erf a soil, except ill rare instances when it was used to determine unusual deiicii curies, lie advocated the divas’ioh of an area into .small sections for the application of various types and mixtures of manures in -order to ascertain which type or combination gave the best results. For the satisfactory establishment of pasture, seed suitable for local eooditious should be selected, and should be sown in the autumn on -clean Inud, 'with a well prepared seed bed and with suitable .fertilisers, whale .it should be grazed satisfactorily in the early stages of establishment. An Open Mind Referring lo the stocking of the land, Dr. Freeman mentioned that for tin- past decade lie had advocated rotational grazing, which he first expounded publicly in lotto, when he believed lie was .the first to do so. This type of grazing, which so far had not secured a great hold in New Zealand, should ‘lie done in conjuii'ction with rational fertilisation. For this small paddocks were essential, and the stock must be permitted to eat the feed in Hie leaf stage. Harrowing should In 1 resorted to, but with discretion. Some of the land in Dovert.y Bay, lie said, was seriously affected by the treading of stock in the winter, and for the. purpose of harrowing—he advocated the use of tripods —the ground should be in a crumbly state and .rolled -with a flat roller.

In conclusion, Dr. F.reeman urged fanners to learn the most; productive pasture. plants and the attributes of the chief fertiliser's, trying new - fertilisers -tentatively and adopting those which gave the most desirable results. Potash '.should lie given a. trial on sandy ami peaty hind, and nitrogen .containing manures, used in order to ascertain if they will produce earlier grass. Of phospiialio fertilisers, superphosphate) .should be given to the drier soils, while to the -wetter lands ifiasic siuper, basis slag, .ephos and others should be more bene I Lei ah With regard to grass varieties, he said Timothy and meadow foxtail should not be despised, for it. may provide the best grass ou certain ■t’ni-ms. It was wise, he, added, to keep ail open mind and gain the benefit of the experience of those who had been successful.