SILVER-BEET.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 2, 15 February 1913, Page 165

SILVER-BEET.

FEEDING-TESTS AT BELFAST FREEZING-WORKS.

A. Macpherson.

Amongst tests conducted in co-operation with the Department by the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company at its Belfast works last season was one to demonstrate the possibilities of silver-beet as a feed for sheep. The report 'of the works - manager, Mr. Hopkins, already published in the Journal, shows that the crop was greedily eaten by the sheep, which thrived well upon it. The feeding-off results are now available. These show that the carrying-capacity was at the rate of 828 sheep for seventy days. Following are the results First feeding-off, March : The quarter-acre carried 85 sheep for ten days. The sheep were turned in on the 12th March, and were taken off on the 22nd March. Thus 1 acre would carry 243 sheep for fourteen days. On the 12th March the first stripping of leaves was made. It indicated a yield of 51-72 tons per acre. , • Second feeding-off, July: The quarter-acre carried 50 fat lambs for fifteen days. The lambs were turned in on the 30th June, 1912, and were taken off on the 13th July. Thus 1 acre would carry 214 lambs for fourteen days. The second stripping of leaves was made on the 30th June. It indicated a yield of 48-22 tons per acre. Third feeding-off, September: The quarter-acre carried 50 sheep for twelve days. The sheep were turned in on the 2nd September, and were taken off on the 13th September. Thus the 1 acre would carry 171 sheep for fourteen days. The third stripping of leaves was made on the 2nd September. It indicated a yield of 30 tons per acre. Fourth feeding-off, November: The quarter-acre * carried 50 sheep for seven days. The sheep were turned in on the 2nd November, and were taken off on the 9th November. Thus the 1 acre would carry 100 sheep for fourteen days. The fourth : stripping of leaves was made on the 2nd November. It indicated a yield of 27 tons per acre. Fifth feeding-off, December: The quarter-acre carried 50 sheep for seven days. The sheep were turned in -on the 24th December, and were taken off on the 31st December. Thus the 1 acre would carry 100 sheep for fourteen days. The fifth stripping of leaves was made on the sth December. It indicated a yield of 26-86 tons per acre.