FEEDING OFF WHEAT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 75, 5 May 1914, Page 11

FEEDING OFF WHEAT.

!%JShe practice of feeding off the early wheat crops is one which is followed by many farmers who combine sheepraising with wheat-growing (Writes Mr R. W. Peacock in the "Agricultural Gazette" of New South Wales). This practice, when discreetly followed, has much to recomnaend it. It also requires considerable judgment upon the part of the farmer. Wheats cannot be fed off advantageously indiscriminately. There are many points to be taken into consideration. Wheat grown upon light open' soils, and sown early, may be advantageously fed off. The tramping of the stock consolidates "the soil, to the advantage of the crop. Soils which run together at the surface and contain a fair proportion of clay may be seriously injured by the tramping of the sheep. Soils which are rich in vegetable matter, and are what are termed rather strong for wheat, if sown early should be. .fed off. The heavy growth induced prevents the access of heat and sunlight,, resulting in weakened tissues at the base of the stems, which often precedes a lodged crop. The eating off of the excess of leaves aids in preventing rust and orher diseases, and strengthens the straw materially. ( During seasons of good autumnal and winter growth crops may- grow too rankly. Such are very susceptible to frostfng, and if at all practicable shouhl be grazed. Wheats which have procumbent leaves and stems during the winter, and stool freely, are more suitable ■for grazing. Many of the new wheats have a more erect habit of growth, and stool sparsely; such q&nnot be grazed to the same extent as the former. In districts where dry early summers are the rule, wheats should not be grazed late in the winter, but should be let run up no later than the end of July. In districts where the rainfall can be depended upon throughout the early summer, they may be grazed later. Generally speaking, for grazing off, wheats should be sown early. Some soils are sufficiently forcing to compensate for early sowing, and may be sown later. Where wet winters are the rule, heavy soils, owing to too much consolidation by tramping, are not suitable for grazing. The crop should not be continuously grazed for a considerable period. It is preferable to subdivide sufficiently to ensure the eating off to the ground withjin a fortnight. Stakes and wire netting make an easily removable subdivision fence. Sheep, when turned into large areas of rank crop, trample and spoil more than they eat. Sheep should be taken out during wet weather. All areas should be thoroughly harrowed, to .loosen the surface, after being grazed. ,3jhe food supplied by early sown or ; winter proud crops often proves very acceptable for the sheep during a period i\yhen green food is not plentiful. The laxative effect aids the digestion of dry grasses and other fodders. Care should be taken, or excessive scouring may be induced in some animals, vSheep in poor condition should be fed cautiously for a ,few ' weeks. Ewes and lambs, if judiciously fed, are much benefited rjy a change on to young wheat.