FARM SCHOOL

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16815, 5 June 1926, Page 11

FARM SCHOOL

DAY AT RUAKURA. Lectures on fodder chops. A party of 30 farmers attending the farmers’ instruction course at Hamilton left at 11 a.m. on Thursday for Buakura Farm with Mr G. W. Wild (assistant instructor at Auckland). On arrival at Ruakura demonstrations were given by Mr Wild of the manufacture of concrete strainer-posts, and he answered a number of questions relative to the making and use of concrete. After a light luncheon Mr H. Munro, with Mr P. W. Smallfleld, conducted the party over the farm, where crops, stock, buildings, and equipment were inspected and dealt with by Mr Munro, while Mr Smallfleld discoursed on the pastures over whch the party passed. A very interesting day was spent, and at the conclusion of the farm stroll a hearty vote of thanks was extended to Mr Munro and the lecturers for their advice. Hay and Ensilage. On Tuesday Mr G. W. Wild delivered an interesting address on hay and ensilage, the latter of which, he said, was already beginning to be an important factor in old-established districts like Taranaki, where more ensilage was being saved every year, particularly in cases where root crops were uncertain. Just as Taranaki, the oldest dairy province, was turning its attention to the saving of ensilage, so must the South Auckland dairy farmers, whose chances of growing profitable roots were becoming increasingly difficult. With the approved practice of using double the quantities of phosphate top-dressings in these uncertain root crop districts would come a big flush of spring and summer grass, which would possibly be in excess of the stock’s requirements at that period. There was the farmer's opportunity of turning the grass into ensilage for use in the autumn and again before the spring flush of grass. Topdressing heavily was not going to give a more even growth throughout the year, and there would still be uncertain periods in autumn, so that the excess of the spring and summer flush should be stored in its semi-green stato as ensilage. The same was applicable to paspalum, whose flush period was the autumn, and instead of allowing a fine grass to become rough and fibrous, it should be gathered and used for ensilage. Ensilage could be made from a fairly wide range of fodder, and maize, millet, and sorghum were particularly adaptable in that respect. Tho South Auckland farmer was fortunate in being able to grow good crops of those which, mixed with grasses and clovers, make a very desirable and nutritious fodder.

Ensilage was a fodder saved in a semi-green state by controlled fermentation. In hay-making fermentation was dispensed with, but in making ensilage it was encouraged to a certain extent. Fodder was cut for ensilage at the same time as hay, when bulk and succulence were at a maximum. Grasses and clovers were cut when just past the blooming stage, and in the early stages of seed setting, while maize was cut when the cob began to glaze. The object of making ensilage was to harvest and store the fodder before wilting took place, to exclude the air as much as possible, as control of fermentation and the heating of the ensilage was impossible if the air had access to the ensilage. The advantages of ensilage should weigh heavily with the dairy farmer for it could be made in any weather, from a wide range of fodder, and there'was smaller loss in harvesting than was the case with hay. The feeding of it to stock xvas very profitable, and it had a, beneficial effect, inasmuch as it was easily digested. It could replace roots and supplement hay, and did not taint the milk as turnips did. Four Groups of Silage.

Silage was classified under four groups, according to the temperature reached in maturing. The sour temperature was from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the sweet green 120 deg. F. to 140dcg. F., the sweet brown 140 deg. F. to IGOdcg. F., and that over IGOdcg. F. was charred and useless. While the sweet green was looked upon as the most desirable type to produce, yet in practice it was found that stock ate greedily of the first three groups. A Wide temperature was allowed of in the making of ensilage, and the farmer who followed instructions should have little difficulty In producing a palatable and nutritious ensilage. A few general rules would be found useful. The sides be kept up and well supported. The thermometer should always be used by beginners. _ A perforated pipe could be driven into the stack and the thermometer let down the pipe for a minute or two, after wards being withdrawn and read. After ensilage had been made a lev' times the thermometer might be discarded. In building the stack, H the temperature was low, operations should be suspended for a period liU the fodder became hotter. The addition of weight depressed the temperature and controlled the fermentation process. If windy conditions prevai ed from any particular quarter during the building of the stack, the expos side should be protected with a cover otherwise the heat was driven through the stack and its settling was uneven q’he hillside silo was becoming mo popular in certain districts and ,f properly handled there was less loss in Ihis P type of silo, while harvesting operations were simplified. Filling '' as carried out from the top side of In cut, and no stacking device was inquired. Many hillside sflos were no hotter than stack silos, as m settling 11 1 g silage often shrank away from side and penetration was easy. Hai tramping around the sides was absolutely essential. Green fodder could be cut chaffed, and blown into a silo and fed out from it the next day if dcsrub Naturally the first few days feed-ou would be of green material, but value of tho real ensilage would be reflected in the increased milk yields.