PROVIDING WINTER FEED.

Southland Times, Issue 21073, 3 May 1930, Page 15

PROVIDING WINTER FEED.

HOW TOP-DRESSING CAN ASSIST. (By Mr G. 11. Holford.) To the fanner who studies intelligently the needs of his stock throughout the winter any facts bearing on successful wintering will be of more than general interest. As far as the soil itself goes, there is no real need for constant attention. But stock must be kept healthy and thriving during the critical period of low grass, production. That is why the question of providing adequate winter feed is so important. Following is an extract from an Agricultural Bulletin issued by Lincoln College in conjunction with Canterbury College Chamber of Commerce: —“Investigation was carried out on the effect of different winter feeds on the summer production of 83 Canterbury herds. This revealed the fact that the average production from well fed herds is as much as 55 per cent, more than on poorly fed herds. Insufficient winter feed has left the low producing herds in such a state that grass is used until December to repair the lost body tissue and the maximum production is delayed until December. Insufficient winter feed must be largely responsible for many of the ailments of the dairy cow. Unfortunately the present outlook is far from bright. In some districts particularly in the North .there has been very prolific growth of grass right through the summer, and well into autumn. There is no question but that this abnormal growth will have meant a considerable drain on soil fertility more especially as many pastures here had both ensilage and hay crops taken off. Recently, practically the whole of New Zealand has experienced a long dry spell which has left the pastures in a burnt-up state. These facts will certainly militate against good autumn and winter growth of pastures unless the extra heavy drain is made good by fertilising. Even if rain comes now, the colder weather will limit pasture growth considerably unless aided by the right fertilizers. Root crops upon which .farmers have relied a great deal for winter feed in the past are very uncertain, suffering as they do from the ravages of disease. This season the dry spell has also affected them lyEnsilage and Hay. Whilst conditions in many parts of New Zealand are favourable for the saving of ensilage crops, excessive rains has resulted in much hay being damaged rendering it of lower feeding value than usual. The present position in regard to winter feed this year is by ' no means reassuring. Pasture growth has been below normal, root crops are unsatisfactory in many parts while much of the hay saved will be of rather low feeding value. Cows well fed during the winter months will produce better next season and it is also important for the next year’s crop of lambs that breeding ewes be kept in good condition through the winter. In view of the conditions, existing as set out above, farmers should be particularly interested in extending the autumn and winter growth of their pastures. The question now is to see what can be done to help the winter feed position. It is too late to grow special crops. Assistance must be sought from special topdressing such as quick-acting phosphatic and solvable nitrogenous manures. Early application of phosphates in autumn builds up the pastures. Experience has proved that grass growth reacts very quickly to a nitrogenous manure if used in connection with phosphates. One method that is growing in importance, is the utilising of the surplus spring and summer growth for the making of ensilage, which can be fed out not only in the winter but also in the drier parts of the year. Those farmers who have good supplies of this feed are indeed fortunate. There is no doubt that the question of winter feed is important, and those farmers who are faced with a shortage of winter feed, the use of a quick-acting nitrogenous manure along with phosphates on at least a portion of their pastures, preferable those up to a good rye-grass, white clover standard can be confidently recommended. Although prices for primary products are low it would appear to be quite unsound to aggravate the effect of low prices by low production. The best antidote to low prices is to compensate for these by obtaining a greater quantity of produce per acre. In this connection farmers will agree that good winter feeding of stock is the key to successful stock raising. Manuring along the lines indicated is of paramount importance in securing this desirable aim.