A Farmer's Note-Book

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 19

A Farmer's Note-Book

Lambing Progress Reports Lambing has made good progress in the Thornbury district and' will be completed in the near future. Several farmers have only about 100 ewes still to lamb and have reported results to date. On the farm of Mr A. M. Fallow the average of four paddocks was 140 per cent, of Jamb?’ and Mi- J. McLean had a similar experience. Several farmers have remarked that.many of the ewes with twins have one really good lamb and the other very much smaller. The ewes have shown greater attachment to the bigger lambs and a good deal of trouble has been experienced in persuading the ewes to mother the small lambs and many unsuccessful efforts in this direction have been made. It has been suggested that the ewes have been somewhat short of milk and that this is the - reason for the lack of motherly interest in the second weakly lamb. In the Eastern District the yield of lambs generally appears to be rather lower than that of normal seasons and reports so far to hand indicate that comparatively few flocks will exceed 120 per cent, of lambs. Because of a shortage of winter feed some farmers were forced to send ewes south to feed on turnips. The results in a number of cases have not been altogether satisfactory and losses of ewes occurred when the flocks returned. The travelling and possibly a limited run off while on turnips together . with a return to short grass in dry areas appear to be collectively responsible for the unfortunate losses. • For Autumn Milk Production

Montgomery red clover (certified) has been established on a number of farms in Southland during the past two years with most satisfactory results. Muir Bros., Redan, Wyndham Ridges, give great credit to a five-acre field of Montgomery red clover for hay and milk production in a dry season. Last season their yield of milk and butterfat was exceptionally high particularly during the autumn when the dairy herd was grazed for an hour a day after the evening milkings on the clover paddock. A crop of hay was taken early in the season and the sub-

sequent growth only was used for green feeding. As this type of red clover is of perennial habit and when cut periodically for hay lasts for at least six to eight years, it is a highly profitable crop for all dairy fanners, and also for those who desire assured heavy crops of hay. Two hay crops can be secured each year. An average seeding is 61b of seed to the acre. It also grows well in conjunction with cocksfoot and eight to 101 b of this can be added with advantage particularly in the lower rainfall areas. All clovers thrive best on sweet land and Montgomery gives best results when heavy applications of lime are made prior to sowing the seed. The most successful crops have been secured where two tons of carbonate of lime together with three to four cwt of super, or reverted, to the acre have been applied. For green feed next autumn sowing should be carried out as soon as possible. December and January sowings have proved to be rather late for this purpose in the first season. Young Farmers’ Clubs

The essay competition conducted by the district committee of Young Farmers’ Clubs in connection with the field day at Makarewa was productive of a good number of entries. One of the main objects in view was to ascertain to what extent the young farmers had absorbed the information given by the demonstrators. The results were most satisfactory. The judging was done on a points system with the writer losing a point for each omission. Practically every paper submitted covered the whole programme with the winners showing rather better elaboration of each item. The essays upon Mr J. Lilico’s remarks on care of ewes at lambing contained a very complete record and there was a very small margin of points between the first three The chairman of the committee, Mr W. R. Harris, has intimated that as two boys tied for second place with very good essays a small trophy will be presented to each of them. The activities of most of the clubs for 1938 will conclude this month. Inter-club debates have created great interest during the winter months and the development of the boys as speakers has been most noteworthy. The final debate for the cup presented by the Southland Women’s Division of the Farmers’’ Union is to take place at Gore at the end of this week. The Woodlands Club representing Western, and Waikaka Club representing Eastern Southland have both made a solid preparation for> the event An invitation has been extended to the public to attend the first contest which will become an annual fixture alternately at Gore and Invercargill.

Dry Conditions in Victoria Only those who have been in direct contact with grazing and farming operations in Northern Victoria and Western Riverina during the past 18 months, fully realize the severity of that period. In far Western Riverina localities no rain "of any value fell fer nearly 12 months—it was only by heavy expenditure on hand feeding and moving of stock to more favoured country that calamitous losses were averted. Although an opportune rain came in the spring of 1937 and saved the .wheat crops, dry weather continued throughout the autumn of 1938. This resulted in irregular germination of all earlysown crops, and also unduly delayed seeding operations where certain cultural treatment to destroy weeds had to be given preparatory to sowing. Recently a moderately good rain occurred which it is hoped will save the wheat crops. Nevertheless, unless further good rains are experienced the dry condition of the sub Soil will considerably limit yields. / Liming Turnip Land

Early liming of land intended for swede and turnip crops has. proved to be a sound precaution against severe attacks of club root. It is much more effective as a preventive when the lea ploughing is treated in this way. Although the practice has not yet been generally adopted an increasing number of farmers each year has come to realize wisdom of it. This season a number of farmers has already completed this part of preparation work for the crops. Experience has shown that establishment of clovers and grasses when the areas are sown down to pasture a year or two later are greatly facilitated, and that the fattening quility of them is much higher than when liming is delayed Until the pasture seeds are sown. , High Yield of Clover Seed

The northern districts of Southland' have proved most suitable for the production of crops for seed, purposes. Many payable crops of white clover have from time to time been harvested. Red clover has, however, not received very much attention. There appears to be sound reasons for trials with certified Montgomery red clover as there is ap ever increasing demand for this type of seed. That the crop for seed purposes can be highly remunerative is shown by the return of £2B 10/- an acre obtained last season by Mr S. Hurst, Waihaorunga, South Canterbury. He secured a yield of one and a-half bags of machine-dressed Montgomery clover seed to file acre from a 70 acre paddock. This realized 2/6 per lb and gave a total return of a little more than £2OOO.