A Farmer’s Notebook PAMPAS GRASS IN SOUTHLAND

Southland Times, Issue 24599, 22 November 1941, Page 10

A Farmer’s Notebook PAMPAS GRASS IN SOUTHLAND

VALUE FOR WINTER FEED PLANT’S HIGH DEGREE ,OF PALATABILITY Interesting experiments with pampas grass, as a fodder for stock, have been carried out both in Invercargill, and a nearby district for some years past, and are still in progress. Although the trials have, so far, not been on a very big scale, the experience gained has been of considerable value. It is probable that they may lead to more extensive investigation by keen farmers, who base their judgment on results. During the past nine years several articles containing information about pampas grass have appeared from time to time in the Journal of Agriculture; also, there have been descriptions of results obtained by Mr A. McClean, Hauraki Plains, who has had ten years’ experience on a large scale, and a good deal has been heard about an area on the reclaimed flats at V/hangarei, North Auckland. The majority of farmers in the south have given little thought to its possibilities, and those who have were not inclined to treat the matter seriously. However, in these days of advanced farming methods, balanced feeding for stock is becoming a most important problem. The utilization of deeprooting edible plants that bring up some of the little-known minor mineral elements from the subsoil may easily exert a very profitable influence upon nutrition and health of animals. As pampas grass roots are known to penetrate to a depth of eight feet in suitable soil, it is more than possible that the value of it as a stock fodder may extend far beyond the actual bulk of material produced. In other words, the plants may supply essential ingredients that are lacking in some of our high-producing ryegrass and white clover dominant pastures. STOCK DISEASES Ewes suffer from ante-partum paralysis, lambs from pulpy kidney, dairy cattle from temporary sterility and so on. Correct nutrition by way of well-balanced feeding may, in the course of time be found to supply nature’s remedy, or prevention, of many of these troubles. It is only by practical experience under farm conditions that the answer can be obtained. While trials with pampas grass may be only one line of investigation that it is wise to try out, in view of some of the results in the north there appears to be room for farmers to ascertain its value under Southland conditions.

Pampas grass is a native of Argentina and Southern Brazil, and must not be confused with our native toi-toi which is very much like it in appearance to anyone not familiar with their respective characteristics. Pampas grass produces its ornamental plumes during the autumn. They are usually stiff, straight and more robust than the toitoi, and the leaves break easily when given a sharp tug. Toi-toi throws out its plumes or seed heads during the summer. They are slender, and wave about much more freely than the stronger-growing pampas plumes. The foliage is tough and fibrous, and, therefore, does not break easily when pulled. As acquaintance with pampas grass and toi-toi usually does not extend further than casual observation of clumps used for ornamental purposes in gardens and parks, or the picturesque patches dotted about the countryside, it is not surprising that its value as stock fodder is given little thought. However, it has been proved that it, in common with many other plants, behaves in a very different manner when subjected to control and correct management. Those who have experimented and concentrated on this aspect, testify to its usefulness as a supplementary stock fodder, chiefly for autumn and winter feeding. The trial in the Myross Bush district was begun two years ago when a number of plants were transplanted in the spring of 1939 which included some of both the Whangarei and Hauraki Plains strains. It was not intended that the plants should be grazed until the bushes were well developed. However, two months ago cattle that were feeding on swedes with a good grass run off, broke down the fence and ate the pampas which was then about two feet high. Before the fence was repaired the owner noticed that young lambs nibbled freely at the remains of the plants. As all the plants were eaten it was obvious that there was little difference in the palatibility of both strains. A further batch of plants has been put in this season on higher and drier land. This farm trial developed ’as the outcome of experimental work done (Continued at foot of next column.)

in Invercargill by a retired farmer. After some years of propagation his limited garden area became too small to contain the yearly increase which were obtained by sub-division of established plants, and the excess was passed on for the practical trial with stock. The oldest plants in the garden are now four years old. EARLY DIFFICULTIES Considerable difficulty was experienced in coaxing the plants to grow and thrive during the first year or two, but finally the correct procedure was established and no trouble in that direction has since occurred. An inspection of the plants—about 200 in number—a few days ago revealed a fine healthy lot. The first lot of plants put in consisted of 100 small seedlings which were weak and badly knocked about in transit from the north. They were sown in November 1936 and only 20 survived. In May 1938 these plants were divided and 60 of them grew. In the autumn of 1939 a further sub-division was made and only 2 per cent. grew. Each lot of plants were put in at an angle of 45 degrees which is the correct procedure to avoid water lodging in the stems and rotting them. In the meantime a further lot of seedlings were secured in the early spring, also some older plants were divided and transplanted about the same time. The results from spring sowing were most successful, 100 per cent, from the divided plants, and 70 per cent, from the imported seedlings. Spring planting on the farm also gave a 90 per cent, strike. t To anyone contemplating the establishment of a pampas grass stand the Invercargill grower’s experience may be helpful. His recommendations are: (1) Obtain small strong seedlings from the north, line them out in the spring in well prepared clean soil in a garden or sheltered place, and allow them to remain for a year before setting them out in a permanent position; (2) do not allow ground and plants to dry out; (3) new plants are obtained by subdivision of the old clumps, each set to have a portion of root; (4) plants to be put in at an angle of 45 degrees.