YOUNG GRASS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21324, 19 April 1939, Page 3

YOUNG GRASS

QUESTION OF FEEDING VALUE The basic idea underlyingthe practice of ploughing up pastures and resowing immediately is that a young or fresh pasture is superior to an old one. As the years go by permanent pasture tends to fall off in rapidity of growth, especially in the beginning of the grazing season. This, of course, is a decided drawback, because it is early grass that is most valuable. Moreover, it has been shown that young pastures produce more succulent herbage and a greater total bulk than permanent grassland. Such evidence as is available would go to prove that fresh pasture, that is, pasture laid down not more than five or six years, is superior to very old or what is described as permanent pasture. These arguments are strongly in favour of ploughing up grassland at intervals of 10 years or less. It has been shown that grass is at its best when young. The aim therefore, should be to get grass eaten off before it begins to deteriorate. This presents no difficulty except during.the flush season. If land is lightly stocked at such a period the grass tends to get ahead of the animals with the result that it becomes coarse and of inferior feeding value. In this direction there is considerable scope for an extension in the use of mowing machines.