PASTURE CONTROL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 19 (Supplement)

PASTURE CONTROL

FORETHOUGHT NEEDED EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT In planning the management of farms of an entirely or mainly grassland nature, just as much forethought should be given to the use and treatment of the various fields as on arable farms. In the first place the grazing of the fields should be regulated in such a manner as to allow the most efficient use of available pastures. This implies the least punishment of both stock and pastures by grazing the fields at the most suitable stage of growth. Continuous close grazing of pastures and the resultant partial starvation of stock in certain seasons and understocking in other seasons should be avoided.

In order to permit the most efficient utilisation of pastures, the shutting up of some 40 per cent of the total farm area for hay, silage, or seed production is necessary during the period of flush growth. Many farmers, however, make the mistake

of waiting too long before shutting I up their paddocks with the result i that if they cut the crop late enough ! to give a good yield, the herbage is | then too mature and stalky. For | both hay and silage, a leafy, nutri- ; tious growth of pasture is desirable at the cutting stage, and to give a reasonable bulk of herbage the paddocks must be shut up early. A good aftermath also results from the early closing of pastures. In the North Island “early” means from September to the end of October. Shutting Of Fields It is frequently good farming practice to shut up paddocks even when feeding out is still continuing. Preparatory to closing, the paddocks should be closely and uniformly grazed, then harrowed, and then topdressed if this has not been done recently. The saving of all possible hay and silage is one of the means of increasing production as outlined in its general plan by the National Council of Primary Production. Accordingly apart from its practical farming value, it should meet with the approval and support of all farmers. There is considerable scope for expansion in the conservation of surplus pasture—growth which always has received less attention than is warranted.

In addition to the areas which are top-dressed preparatory to closing for hay silage, or seed production, areas which have been missed in the

autumn top-dressing programme could, with advantage, receive a dressing of a quick-acting fertiliser. Spring top-dressing of established pastures should be finished by the end of September.

Feeding out should not cease im- j mediately pasture growth begins to ' come away. Frequently in the spring, although the bulk of feed may appear adequate, such pasture growth is inclined to be watery. In order to balance the ration, at the same time reducing scouring of stock, the continuance of the feeding out or hay or silage may be necessary till , the end of September in the North Island, and later in the South Island. Such feeding out of hay or silage minimises the danger when the pastures are of a type which tend to induce “blowing” of stock.