INTENSIVE FARMING.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16815, 5 June 1926, Page 18 (Supplement)

INTENSIVE FARMING.

DRAIN ON MINERAL MATTER. MAKING UP DEFICIENCIES. 11.

(By “Practical.”)

In my previous article on the abovementioned subject I traced the cause of depletion of mineral matter in our New Zealand soils. Briefly summarised they may he given as follows: (1) Extensive farming with light stocking of the pioneer days gave place gradually to more intensive farming. (2) The export trade in wool, meat, and later in dairy products, proved, and is proving, a great drain on our soils. (3) Our reserves of virgin fertility in the form of mineral substances, and to an extent, on cultivated soils and to a lesser extent oil grasslands of humus, are working out. This is to he expected. Taking off produce, together with cultivation, account for this.

The evidences of soil depletion are shown in reduced carrying capacity, reduction In breeding powers of our stock, smaller size of our animals, particularly smaller frames, which undoubtedly point to deterioration, depraved appetites as seen in stock chewing sticks, bones, etc., and generally greater prevalence of stock diseases due to want of mineral matter. Usa of Fertilisers. Since our chief crop is grass pasture it should receive attention first. The primary essential is to top-dress with phosphatic fertilisers. This presumes, of course, that ordinary good management of pastures is practised. Attention should bo given to the size of paddocks. Small subdivisions are desirable in order to get the best out of the pastures. This seems to be directly opposed to the principle of allowing stock to wander and select their own feed. It is. But I shall point out later how the objection can he adequately met. Tripod-chain-hnrrowing ’should be done regularly. Mowing of pastures to prevent the grasses “getting away” and becoming unpalatable and innutritious is beneficial. Small paddocks allow of frequent spelling and rejuvenation of the grasses and clovers, and this is very desirable.

Accepting the fact that phosphatic fertilisers are the first essential, the type of phosphate to use is usually a problem for the ordinary farmer. He probably has tried out several, or all, of those ofTcred on Ihe market. Cerlainly the main thing is to use one-or other of the ordinary lines offered, and if persisted in, good results will follow. To use the fertiliser to get the most economic result depends on a number of factors such as quality of Ihe soil, the typography of the counIry, the rainfall, the previous treatment of land and the class of stock carried. Generally speaking, where the conditions are dry, and the soil light in nature, water soluble phosphate such as super gives the best results. Where the land is limed belter quality of pasture is produced. Basic super on sour soils gives good results. Where the soil is heavy, moist, and contains a fair amount of humus, the slow-acting phosphates generally give Ihe host results. Basic slag, ground raw rock phosphates, and guanos can be depended upon lo give good results also where such conditions obtain.

The pasture feed, If supplemented by crops which hare received fertilisers, give the necessary mineral matter in a natural form' and stock should thrive. Value of Chlorlno, Potash and nitrogen are not used very largely in New Zealand on pastures. However, potash is receiving increasing attention from farmers of late and probably there is some sound reason for its application to grass land. It i 3 a problem for the investigators to work out. It is considered from those who have made recent researches in animal nutrition (hat chlorine, in addition to phosphorus and lime is a very important clement in building up bone and other tissue. If such is the case, it may account for the fact that where salt spray is blown on the pastures along the seacoasts, the benefits to stock are shown by 'healthy animals. It may account also for many other benefits accruing to animals, which get adccpiato quantities of salt, as common salt is made up of chlorine and soda. Salt licks, feeding salt in hay, putting on Kainit (which contains common salt in addition to potash) and even applying common agricultural salt to crops,, all are practices known to farmers. Many arc moreover practised by farmers who believe in them. Use of Licks. The idea that a mixed lick containing several essential ingredients, does away with the necessity of using fer- : ilseys is discredited by farmers lo,y. ii is a good temporary measure. U gives immediate results. In fact, in this connection it helps, and is a useful supplement to the ordinary practices of top-dressing and feeding

crops grown with fertilisers. It must bo regarded therefore as an expedient —not as a real effective remedy to cure the trouble. In Conclusion. It is apparent that if animals sncli as cattle to be brought into dairying are -drawn from country where they have been accustomed to graze over wide areas, they must be given feed that provides adequately for their rnaintainancc and for production. They should not be put on depleted pastures and allowed to starve Uicre, especially during lean periods, when the pastures are not producing enough feed. Trouble will certainly follow. Good top-dressed pastures and supplementary feed of good quality must be provided. Licks should ho accessible to them also.

- If a farmer is’ grading up his herd or flock with high-grade sires drawn from good well-farmed country he must look out for trouble. This practice has been shown to cause malnutrition of the offspring, where mothers are not used to low grade farming and inadequate feeding. The characteristics of the sires will appear in the offspring which will produce usually more than their mothers. Hence there will he a greater strain on the offspring. To meet this, good nutritious feed is absolutely necessary.

It is superfluous to do more than mention that much trouble in New Zealand especially in districts where intensive farming is practised, could be obviated by attention to the matter of giving stock all the mineral matter they need. It pays to do so.