Paspalum Proves its Worth In Browned Gisborne Pastures

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17453, 30 December 1930, Page 9

Paspalum Proves its Worth In Browned Gisborne Pastures

WITH browned and parched paddocks on every side, a small Taruberui farm still retains a .greenness of pasture not at all in keeping with the rest of the countryside. Neighboring herds have fallen several pounds of butter-fat per cow in recent herd tests, but this little green farm has fed the cows sufficiently to produce on a level onlv a few points below that of the November test, which was then well up to the figures of the neighboring herds, and is now far ahead of them. There is no secret, in this achievement; the farmer concerned was very fortunate in having a fair proportion of his holding in paspaluhi, that grass which grows, luxuriantly when other herbage is showing signs of stress un- j dcr the summer ;sun. | The paspalum paddock is still quite green, and in a summer such as this the farmer concerned is indeed favor; ed. In addition to this, however, the clover is not yet as withered as on some other properties, although it is now showing the effects of the dry. spell. This property had not been heavily stocked during the winter and early Spring, with the result that a good growth 'covered the paddocks, helping to shelter the ground from 1 the drying winds, and later from the heat of the sun. The herd testing returns for the current month revealed an average of over oOlb. of fat per cow. The test was made during the third week of tlvc month, bv which time many of the other herds in the '■Vicinity' wire; fnst‘ r ou-;thi> ([dwiiward-i trend. . , ’ “■'* 1 f

Judging from ,the appearance of both the hills and the limits, in the'district’, the position of. tile farming community will be sqrious if rain docs’ not come during tile next week' or so. With feed already becoming scarce .on some properties, a good stock, of roots, lucerne or ensilage would .be most welcome, but unfortunately most Gisborne farmers have this year put .{heir utmost trust, in hay, and hay alone is not sufficient, for a cyw.to milk on.

Oh that little •.paspalum farm, however-, the herd’Should bq able ,to. \veutlidr several more rainless weeks with’ out .sho'wing any real ill-effects. . Tlie amount •Of milk is down, on the.product ion of a few weeks ago, but the cream shows no gi'c'al .difference yet..