FARMING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4044, 6 May 1938, Page 6

FARMING NOTES

PASPALUM. SPREADING THROUGHOUT DISTRICT. CALLS FOR CAREFUL MANAGEMENT. METHODS IN THE NORTH. For some years Mr. W. J. Freeth, of Pukearuhe, has been a keen advocate of paspalum in dairy pastures. It has given wonderful results at this well-known Ngahiwi stud farm, but generally speaking the farmers of this district have preferred to have nothing to do with it, fearing that if even a very small quantity was introduced it would ultimately smother out other grasses and take possession. Paspalum requires careful management Mr. Freeth claims that if it is is properly controlled then it will produce ideal feed at times when other species of grasses have passed their best, but will not crowd them out entirely. Despite the prejudice that has been manifest against paspalum it is gradually spreading throughout North Taranaki and farmers will have to study its control. “Spring Control.” Paspalum as a permanent pasture species is of paramount importance in the warmer parts of the Auckland Province. Where this grass is well established the autumn butterfat production is often equal to that produced in the spring months. In other words, paspalum gives another “spring flush” in the new year. In order to obtain this, good management is essential; in fact, it has been due rather to bad management than any defect in the grass itself that its popularity has not been greater, says the Agricultural Journal Where paspalum is well managed exceptionally high yields, running over 3001 b. butterfat per acre, are not unknown. That management consists of:— , (1) Liberal top-dresssing to maintain fertility at a high level, so that rye-grass and white clover can grow vigorously. (2) Good subdivision to permit of rotational grazing. (3) Regular topping with the mower wherever the grass tends to get out of hand. Where management is weak the grass soon gets out of hand; in fact, it will dominate a sward in very short time, as its tall, dense growth provides too great a shading effect on species such as ryegrass and white clover. Unless paspalum can be well managed it should not be included in any pasture; but where good management can be practised there is really no soil type, apart from very porous soils, where it could not be included with advantage to the pasture. Rye-grass and Clover. A dominantly paspalum sward cannot be improved by cultivation alone. Any such treatment —e.g., disking, severe harrowing, etc. —should be accompanied by the sowing of some ryegrass and white clover to build up the pasture. This work is most satisfactorily performed in the early spring when paspalum is dormant. Summer management should consist of constant attention to control of growth, and in this connection the mower will be just as necessary as stock.

DAIRY NATIONS. IMPORTANCE OF AMERICA AND GERMANY. Accustomed as New Zealand is to big figures in regard to dairying, the statistics of production in U.S.A, and Germany, the two greatest dairy nations, are impressive. New Zealand produces about 175,000 tons of butter and 90,000 tons of cheese annually. In 1936 America produced six times that amount of butter, 1020,000 tons, 266,000 tons cheese and 1,105,000 tons of preserved milk, in addition to providing milk for 136,000,000 people. General Goering’s phrase, “Guns before butter,” received world-wide publicity and has created a very false impression of Germany’s food situation. Actually the Germans eat more butter than do the French or Danes. Germany is the world’s second largest importer of butter and the second greatest producer of this and other dairy produce. With a high annual consumption of 17.41 b. of butter and 5.31 b. of cheese a head, the Germans are good dairy customers. During the four years 1932 to> 1936 production increased from 415,000 to 460.000 tons of butter and from 118,000 to 135,006 tons of cheese. In this same period, when home butter supply was raised by 45,000 tons, imports rose by 5000 tons, from 70,000 tons to 75,000 tons. New Zealand now has a footing in this market, one of 74,000,000 population since the union with Austria.

A secure and prosperous Germany of the future offers one of the greatest opportunities in the world for disposal of farm products. Not only in butter, but in meats, wool, hides, tallow and sundries, Germany can never become fully self-supporting. Peace on the Continent will mean much to New Zealand’s prosperity. CARING FOR STOCK. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT. KNOWLEDGE OF TEMPERATURES Stock owners are frequently required to diagnose and treat sick animals, and, from their constant observation of stock in good health, are quick to notice any abnormal behaviour due to sickness. A knowledge of the normal temperatures, pulse, and respiration rates of various animals is most valuable in arriving at a correct diagnosis of the trouble. The temperature of all young animals is somewhat higher than that of older animals, and various influences —such as periods of oestrum (heat), time of day, external temperature, and so on—may alter the temperature of the mature animal. The temperatures of healthy farm animals are: Horse, 99.5-101 degrees; cow, 100-101 degrees; sheep, 103 degrees; pig, 102.5 degrees. The temperature of an animal is usually measured in the rectum, and a self-registering thermometer, such as is commonly used in ordinary medical or nursing practice, may be used. Care should be taken to see that the column of mercury is shaken down. A small quantity of vaseline smeared on the bulb as a lubricant to assist the passage of the instrument is desirable, and it is inserted with a circular motion between the fingers, forward in a line with the backbone, and allowed to remain for a few minutes before it is withdrawn carefully and the reading taken. Danger Points. If the temperature of an animal is found to be about 2.5 degrees above normal, it is said to have a low fever; if it reaches the vicinity of 4 degrees above normal a moderate fever is indicated, and if in the neighbourhood of 6 degrees above normal it has a high fever. In some cases, such as tetanus and sunstroke, the temperature may be as much as 10 degrees above normal. Having decided by use of the thermometer whether the sickness is of a febrile (pertaining to fever) or sunfebrile nature, treatment and nursing must be considered Good nursing is of the utmost importance. The patient should be provided with a soft bed, shade from sun, wind, or rain, and a rug in cold weather. A supply of water and green feed should also be provided if possible. Medicines are usually administered by the mouth in the form of a drench, and it is necessary to use care and patience when using this method. The head of the aimal should not be arised above the horizontal position, and only small quantities of the drench poured into the mouth at a time, allowing time for swallowing. Pinching the throat to induce swallowing should not be practised, and the head should not be lowered if the patient commences to cough.