RURAL ACTIVITIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20492, 10 August 1936, Page 4

RURAL ACTIVITIES

FARMERS’ COURSE AT LINCOLN COLLEGE TIME FACTOR IN PASTURE TOPDRESSING (By the Special Reporter of the “Timaru Herald.”) During the recent course for farmers held at Lincoln Agricultural College, Mr M. J. Scott, B.A. (Cantab.), B.Sc., A.1.C., raised several important matters relating to the topdressing of pasture land. “The most important point about artificial fertilisers is when you apply them,” he said. “In the past farmers have been inclined to topdress when time permitted. The sooner farmers in Canterbury realise the importance of topdressing for feed provision, the sooner will carrying capacity be raised.” Fertilisers can be expected to give a response between two and four months after application, depending of course, on rainfall; if a response is not evident in the first year, it should appear in the next. From the above facts it is evident that a shortage of feed in September can, under the requisite conditions, be remedied by a topdressing in June. As far as the lower areas of Canterbury are concerned, an application in August should give a response in December, a time when it is not required. The amount of superphosphate applied depends of course, on returns in relation to costs. Canterbury’s low rainfall is a disadvantage as far as topdressing is concerned. In Mr Scott’s opinion however, topdressing in Canterbury should pay even on the lighter land. With regard to topdressing with lime, a comparison of the relative merits of crushed and burnt lime was made during the lecture, on a price basis. In the early days when crushed limestone was 22/6 a ton and burnt lime 32/6, it might have paid to use the latter; but with crushed limestone at 12/- a ton, a fair price for burnt lime would be 25/-. Transport of course, is a factor where long-distance carting by road is necessary. Some 20 years ago, 30cwt of lime to the acre was applied to half a paddock in the College farm, and the other

half of the paddock was left without lime. Up to the present time no spurry, or as it is often called, yarr, has grown on the limed portion of the paddock, whereas a strong growth frequently appears on the unlimed portion. In recent years, spurry appears to have become a fairly serious weed on the foothill lands of Sou uh Canterbury. Lime must be considered as a remedy, but a factor to be remembered is that it often takes time to give reseults. Points in Pig Farming While giving a special lecture on pigs, Mr Scott stated in effect that as pasture was the cheapest source of feed, a sow running in a paddock for the greater part of a year, was therefore more likely to be a revenue producer. Organisation, the lecturer also said, was the most important factor in pig farming; people who delighted in organising, usually made pigs pay. The main matter for organisation is of course, feeding. At Lincoln College the writer noticed that boiled meat was incorporated in pig food; a special boiler was located near the styes for the purpose. Cereals are most important for the production of good bacon. Because of comparative costs however, it would seem that it would pay better in New Zealand to concentrate on pork for export rather than bacon. One impression gained from an examination of the breeds of pigs kept at the College was the apparent lack of standardisation. No doubt the variety of breeds are kept for comparative purposes; but it would seem that more data related to comparisons between different breeds could be released with advantage. It has been estimated that skim milk and other by-products from dairying in New Zealand could be converted into pig products worth £3,000,000. An investigation made not so long ago, revealed that there was only one breeding sow for every 25 dairy cows in the country, and it has been estimated that that position could be improved until there was one breeding sow to every eight cows. But, one of the most important matters for attention if pig farming is to be developed as a profitable export industry, is standardisation. To date neither Lincoln College nor Massey College have contributed much to that object. At Lincoln there are some good specimens of the Berkshire breed; in fact the College exports carcases which have met with a favourable reception on the London market. It would seem nevertheless, that more could be done towards definitely proving what types are particularly suited to New Zealand conditions and can at the same time, satisfy export requirements. Massey College, for instance has been successful with the Large White and the Tamworth. Concluding Points. Other lectures heard during an attendance of two days at College, were several by Dr. I. W Weston, M.Sc., Ph.D., who dealt with farm management and gave an illuminating address on- guaranteed prices. Such subjects scarcely enter the field covered by an agricultural writer, but it must be added that the facts Dr. Weston has proved by his researches into farm economics are a valuable contribution to' the advancement of rural activities. A suggestion that could be recommended for the consideration of branches of the Farmers’ Union, Crown Tenants’ Association and other farmers’ organisations is that more use should be made of the knowledge possessed by men in the employ of Lincoln College and the Department of Agriculture. More frequent lectures on subjects of interest to farmers could no doubt be arranged without much difficulty. Field days are usually popular fixtures, and there would not seem to be any great obstacle in arranging for local series of lectures on lines similar to those given annually at Lincoln College. From the popularity of the short course at Lincoln, the suggestion would appear to be worth investigation with a view to its more extensive adoption. A farm committee consisting of three practical farmers recently took over the management of Lincoln College, and it is understood that the committee aims to make tlje farm more like a model. Considerable work will have to be don to hedges, ditches, fences and outbuildings before that aim is achieved, and finance will no doubt be an obstacle. But it must be hoped that in such work the committee will succeed, because one of the main functions of an institution like the College must be in providing an example in farm management. x That factor is an important consideration in its educational work. A properly kept farm is not necessarily a lesson in extravagance; indeed, it can provide a lesson in itself. Without sacrificing research work, it would be possible in time to surmount financial obstacles, and by drawing on practical experience, using the knowledge of the College staff and what is more, enlisting the services of the Department of Agriculture, it should be possible for the farm cqmmittee to produce a creditable example of competent farm management. (Concluded).