PROVIDING WINTER FEED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18552, 26 April 1930, Page 11 (Supplement)

PROVIDING WINTER FEED

HOW TOrDRESSING CAN ASSIST To the fanner who studies intelligently the needs of his stock through- li out the winter any facts bearing on f( successful wintering will be of more E than general interest. As far as the n soil itself goes there is no real need E for constant attention. But stock d must be kept healthy and thriving ti during the critical period of low grass g production. That is why the question s: of providing adequate winter feed is h so important. b f< Importance of Winter Feed. d Following is an extract from an n Agricultural Bulletin issued by Lincoln College in conjunction with Canterbury College and the Canterbury c Chamber of Commerce:— s “Investigation was carried out on the v effect of different winter feeds on the v summer production of 83 Canterbury t herds. This revealed the fact that the t average production from well fed herds is as much as 55per cent, more than on f poorly fed herds. Insufficient winter t feed has left the low producing herds i in such a state that grass is used until s December to repair the lost body tissue t and the maximum production is delay- i ed until December. Insufficient winter £ feed must be held largely responsible < for many of the ailments of the dairy f cow.” { The Present Outlook. Unfortunately the present outlook j 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 1 into autumn. There is no question but , that this abnormal growth will have , meant a considerable drain on soil fer- ( tility 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 left the pastures in a burnt up state. These facts will certainly militate against good autumn and winter growth of pastures unless the extra drain is made good by fertilising. Even if rain comes now, the colder weather will limit pasture growth considerably unless aided by the fight fertilisers. Root Crops Uncertain. 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 adversely. Whilst conditions in many parts of New Zealand were favourable for the saving of ensilage crops, excessive rain 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 shoulu be particularly interested in extending the autumn and winter growth of their pastures. Value of Manures. 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 soluble nitrogenous manures. Experience has proved that grass growth reacts very quickly to a nitrogenous manure if used in connection with phosphates. Growth will be stimulated right into the winter months by the use of sulphate of ammonia affording good nutritious feed when it is usually needed—particularly this coming winter. 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-act-ing nitrogenous manure along with phosphates on at least a partion 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 if paramonut importance in securing this desirable aim.