NORTHERN WAIROA EXPERIMENTAL AND DEMONSTRATION FARM.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1, 20 January 1928, Page 37

NORTHERN WAIROA EXPERIMENTAL AND DEMONSTRATION FARM.

ESTABLISHMENT AND FIRST TWO YEARS’ WORKING.

C. J. Hamblyn,

B.Ag., Instructor in Agriculture, Whangarei.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FARM.

From the commencement of operations at the Stratford Demonstration Farm in 1917 keen interest was taken in that institution and its working by many of the progressive farmers of the. Northern Wairoa district, and at the first winter -school held at Dargaville in 1924 the possibility of establishing a local farm to be run on similar lines was discussed with officers of the Department of Agriculture.. This led to the setting-up of a committee early in 1925, representative of the farming and business interests of the district, to go fully into the question of acquiring a suitable property. It was desired that the farm should be easily accessible to farmers visiting Dargaville, and that at least two soil-typesriver-flats and sandy gum-land—should be represented. River-flats comprise some 20,000 acres along both sides of the Northern Wairoa River, and the sandy gum-land occupies an extensive belt of country between the river and the west coast, as well as isolated areas eastward of the river.

After a careful inspection of several properties offered, the committee decided that the most suitable one in respect of the two features mentioned was a farm of 125 acres at Mangatara, one and a half miles from Dargaville, a portion of the estate of the late Donald Finlayson. The farm comprised 26 acres of the sandy gum - land in weak paspalum, brown-top, and danthonia pasture sown about four years, and 99 acres of river-flat made up of 44 acres in fair rye-grass-cocksfoot pasture, 12 acres in new grass, 9 acres in young paspalum and clovers sown with a crop of millet, 6 acres in cultivation, and the balance of 28 acres (within the borough boundary) in rough-sown swamp. The farm was subdivided into twelve paddocks of various sizes, most of the fences being in bad repair. The main buildings consisted of a good six-roomed kauri house, and an eight-bail walk-through cow-shed with milking-machine and plant complete. The terms offered the committee were a lease of the property for three years at 6 per cent, on , the purchase price of J 45 per acre, with the right of purchase. Borough and county rates, including rates for borough water laid on, amounted to £9O.

On the recommendation of the committee the terms were agreed to, the society known as the Northern Wairoa Experimental and Demonstration Farm Society was formed and duly incorporated, and an executive committee of farmers and business men elected. The rules adopted were practically the same as those of the Stratford Demonstration Farm.

The society commenced with a membership of 134. An application for a Government subsidy of £3OO per year for three years was applied for and granted, a loan was raised for the purchase of stock and implements, and a manager was appointed. Farm operations commenced on Ist July, 1925.

First Year’s Operations : Season 1925 26.

From the time the property was inspected in March until the Farm Society finally took it over at the beginning of July a great deal of damage was done to the permanent pastures on the flats, first by an invasion of black crickets, which destroyed most of the rye-grass and cocksfoot over large areas of the best paddocks, and later by the heavy stocking of the pastures while they were waterlogged, immediately prior to the clearing sale held by the previous owner at the end of June. As a result one pasture of 12 acres reverted rapidly to a dense growth of rushes, and two young pastures of 12 acres were tramped under and replaced by pennyroyal and buttercup, thus reducing the available grazing by at least half.

THE DAIRY HERD.

It had been originally intended to carry between forty-five and fifty cows, but the number was finally reduced to thirty-two cows and six heifers, purchased at clearing sales. It was recognized that with the drainage conditions then existing on the farm (which the society was not in a position to alter immediately) and with successful supplementary cropping dependent on weather conditions in the spring and early summer any attempt to carry more stock than. the number just mentioned would be unsafe. The herd purchased consisted of good average cross-bred animals from tested herds, it being the intention to grade up as rapidly as possible by the use of pedigree Jersey bulls with the requisite butterfat backing.

SUPPLEMENTARY CROPPING.

A system of supplementary cropping was undertaken to supply additional feed from January onwards, and for that purpose 12 acres was sown in various crops as described below. Attempts to increase

the pasture area, so as to provide for hay, by disking and surface-sowing a portion of the area tramped out were not successful, due to the sodden condition of the ground until late October, folio wed. by a sudden drying out in November.

An area of 2 acres of College Algerian oats was sown in the third week in October with 6 lb. of red clover, and fed out in January, after which the red clover provided excellent feeding for another two months. Three acres of green maize was sown in breaks of 1 acre, the first being Ninety-day, followed by two of Hickory King. The inclusion of 1 bushel of partridge peas with the last break considerably improved the feeding-value, the peas coming away well among the maize, which was sown in 14 in. rows, while the peas were cross-drilled through every coulter.

The maize lasted until the end of April, when the feeding of 2 acres of chou moellier was started. The chou moellier had to be resown, and it was interesting to note that the first sowing at the beginning of December escaped almost entirely an attack of diamond-back moth grubs and also aphis, while that sown a month later was able to make little headway on account of these pests until the first autumn rains at the beginning of April. Two acres was sown in mangolds, but with the exception of a few rows transplanted in early December the results were poor. The crop was badly attacked in the seedling stage by cut-worms, and owing to the bad drainage conditions the ground could not be sufficiently well prepared for this crop.

Several manurial and variety trials were set at the request of the committee, but the results, as expected, were completely obscured by the unsuitable conditions for the growth of the crops. As already indicated, until the soil conditions are improved by an effective drainage system the successful growing of annual crops on such

land is dependent almost entirely on the weather conditions. The crops grown, however, were sufficient for the purpose, with the exception of the failure of the hay crop and the partial failure of the mangolds, which necessitated the removal of the majority of the stock from the farm for the winter.

PASTURE-IMPROVEMENT.

The top-dressing of 36 acres of pasture was carried out in July and August, and the effect of this treatment was apparent throughout the season. Considerable areas of pennyroyal and buttercup gave way to the improved growth of rye-grass and white clover. The policy with regard to top-dressing on the farm, in order to avoid confusion later, has been to top-dress the whole of each paddock with a straight phospha tic manure. During the first season basic slag and superphosphate were used at the fate of 3 cwt. per acre on separate paddocks, and one paddock of 9 acres received 3 cwt. per acre of Ephos phosphate, following the sowing-down in the previous year of the area with this manure. Until such time as definite trials can be carried out much useful information may be gathered from observation of the growth in the various paddocks, and especially the effect on the cows of a change from one paddock to another.

The general scheme as regards the pastures on the farm, which will be followed as far as possible, is as follows : Firstly, a rapid increase in the proportion of pasture to land under crops, with finally the elimination of all crops, excepting perhaps mangolds and carrots ; the top-dressing of the best pastures first, extending the treatment as funds permit to all the permanent grassland ; then increasing the amount of top-dressing on the best pastures by two and even three applications each year, together with further subdivision and consequent increased stocking.

Before very much can be done along these lines a considerable improvement must be effected in the drainage of the farm, and with this in view plans and specifications of a main drainage scheme as a basis for future work were drawn up for the society,by the Lands and Survey Department. A commencement was made with .. this work early in the present season.

A further 6 acres of permanent pasture was sown in the autumn of 1926, and preparations were made for the treatment of the 12 acres which had reverted to rushes, with’ a view to eventually putting it into pasture also.

BUTTERFAT PRODUCTION AND FARM FINANCE.

During the season the original herd of thirty-eight cows and heifers was reduced by various losses to thirty-three. The average factory return of butterfat per cow was 210 lb., a marked reduction on the total butterfat production of the farm for the previous year, which according to the factory returns was 210 lb. per cow from forty-five cows.

As was expected when the farm was taken over, the balance-sheet showed a deficit, this amounting to £287 on the year’s working. The prospects of improving the position not being encouraging, negotiations were opened with the trustees of the estate, with the result that the property was finally placed on offer to the society at a cash purchase

price, of £32 per acre, with a considerable rebate of outstanding rent still due. At the first annual general meeting of the society held in July, 1926, the position was reviewed, with the result that the newly elected executive committee was instructed to complete negotiations for the purchase and arrange for the necessary finance.

Second Year’s Operations : Season 1926-27.

Early in the season negotiations were completed for the purchase of the farm by the society, the change-over from leasehold to freehold being made on Ist December, 1926. At the same time arrangements were made to borrow up to £3OO to carry out necessary improvements, chiefly in the way of drainage. Briefly, the position with regard to the farm as it now stands is that the land and buildings are subject to two mortgages, one of £3,000 bearing interest at 6| per cent., including a sinking fund of 1 per cent., .and a second mortgage of £l,OOO at 5 per cent, and falling due on 31st December, 1928. In addition, interest has to be paid on the loan as it is lifted for improvements, and the stock and implements are mortgaged to the extent of £5OO at 9 per cent.

Owing to the general financial stringency which existed during the past year the society postponed the appeal for funds to assist in wiping out the second mortgage and the chattel mortgage, but there is every indication that the required amount will be - raised in the district, ■so that the farm and stock will virtually belong to the farmers of the Northern Wairoa.

PASTURES.

The work of improving and renewing the permanent pastures was continued during the year. Sixty acres was top-dressed at the rate of 3 cwt. of fertilizer per acre, 4I- tons of superphosphate, 3 tons of basic slag, and i| tons of Ephos phosphate being used for this purpose. The policy of top-dressing each paddock with a single fertilizer was continued. So far as can be judged by a careful study of the pasture and the preference shown by the stock basic slag is giving the best results. The effect of the slag is more marked in spring and autumn, when there is plenty of moisture in the soil, whereas the superphosphate tends to show up to advantage during dry weather in February and March. The next advance in the top-dressing will be the alternation of slag with super as the annual top-dressing, followed by double topdressing with slag in autumn and super in late spring.' The effects of the top-dressing have been marked throughout by a rapid improvement in the sward and the crowding-out of pennyroyal and buttercup.

A further area of 6 acres was sown to permanent pasture ; an additional 9 acres, in which there was a fair amount of paspalum but which had reverted to a dense growth of rushes, was broken up and cropped with maize preliminary, to laying down to permanent grass in the spring after disking. Altogether the area in pasture has been increased from some 36 acres in the first season to 67 acres, which is available during the current season.

CROPS.

Though it was the original intention to reduce the area under crop the method adopted in dealing with the excessive growth of rushes

on the paddock already mentioned necessitated ploughing and cropping for one season. In order to allow free seeding of the scattered paspalum a crop of cob maize was taken off this paddock, while another 6 acres was used for growing supplementary feed for the herd, and 3 acres for pigs.

The crops for the herd included 2 acres of chou moellier and 2 acres of swedes for late autumn and winter feed, and 3 acres of soft turnips, which were fed out from the end of January until the end of April. In addition, an extra 2 acres of swedes was sown on a portion of the rush-paddock which could not be prepared in time for the maize. This crop, though only sown on 14th January after a rough preparation, did well and lasted well into the spring despite wet winter conditions.

Six acres of cob maize was grown, the variety being Early Butler, which matured well despite late sowing and an exceptionally early frost at the end of April. The crops grown for the pigs included artichokes, partridge peas, and a portion of the soft turnips.

Though no manurial trials and few variety trials were carried out the crops grown were of particular interest to visiting farmers, especially as regards the improvement shown on those of the previous season, mainly on account of the improved drainage conditions.

DRAINAGE.

Considerable permanent improvements were carried out on the farm during the year, chiefly in drainage. Though open drains to an estimated value of some £2OO had been put in by the previous occupiers, the system was haphazard with no definite main outlet, and was altogether

unsatisfactory. The system, however, was similar to many farmdrainage schemes to be seen in the district. The construction of a sufficiently deep and adequate main outlet was carried out, together with a suitable flood-gate. A new system of 291 chains of subsidiary drains was dug to connect up the existing open drains. The farm is thus provided with a good basis on which to plan future drainage operations. Already the effect of the more rapid removal of surface water and improved underground drainage is to be noted in pastures and crops, while the damage done to the land by stock in wet weather has not been nearly so great.

DAIRY HERD AND PIGS.

Owing to difficulty in getting many cows of the herd in calf, and losses from mammitis and other causes, only thirty-two cows • were milked through the season. When it was realized that the cows would be exceptionally late in coming to profit it was decided to retain twenty yearling heifers reared on the farm, rather than purchase more stock late in the season. Another factor militating against good returns was the fact that the majority of the cows had been wintered off the farm and had fared badly. The herd-testing returns showed an average per cow of 244 lb. butterfat in 220 days, the short average milking-period being accounted for by the lateness of calving due to the difficulty experienced the previous summer. The total butterfat production' showed an increase of only 100 lb. on that of the previous season. However, the herd finished up in excellent condition, and, with the heifers retained, a . considerable improvement should be shown in the current season. The cows were wintered on the 26 acres of gum-land, where they were fed the swedes, chou moellier, and some 15 tons of meadow and oaten hay.

The returns from the pigs amounted to £l2O, this being almost three times the amount received from this section in the previous year. In addition a considerable increase in the number of pigs carried over was made.

FINANCIAL AND GENERAL.

The balance-sheet for the year showed a net profit from Profit and Loss Account of £lO5, a decided improvement on the position at the end of the first year. The Farm Working Account is still far from satisfactory, but with the improved conditions and a herd of forty-five cows being milked this season the position should rapidly improve. So soon as the initial financial difficulties of the society are overcome more definite experimental and demonstration work can be carried out. The membership of the society is steadily increasing, and at time of writing is approaching two hundred.

Several well-attended field days were held on the farm during the year and the number of visitors is rapidly increasing.

Lemon-growing. — A steady increase is taking place in the area planted with citrus trees in New Zealand, particularly lemons, and satisfactory crops of goodquality fruit are being obtained. In the Tauranga district, which is well adapted for citrus-culture, it is estimated there are approximately 160 acres planted in lemonorchards.