LUCERNE-GROWING IN MID-CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6, 20 December 1928, Page 386

LUCERNE-GROWING IN MID-CANTERBURY.

SOME EXPERIENCES AT ASHBURTON EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

J. G. McKay,

Farm Manager,

Lucerne - growing is still more or less in the trial stage in MidCanterbury, and any marked increase in the area devoted to its growth within the past five or six years has been confined chiefly to the better lands where mixed farming is the practice. So far as the writer can gather, this increase does not exceed a matter of from three hundred to four hundred acres altogether. Demonstration plots at the Ashburton Experimental Farm have furnished useful information which has been’ available to and much appreciated by intending growers, and it s thought that' a brief account of some results and experiences will be of interest..

INFLUENCE OF LUCERNE-GROWING ON CARRYING-CAPACITY.

It may be said that lucerne is no exception to the general rule governing pasture, in that its. productiveness is governed by seasonal conditions and the class of land on which it is grown. Without irrigation or good summer rains it does not altogether solve the autumn feed-shortage problem in this district, as its growth at this period in average seasons is comparatively light. Nevertheless, while not entirely obviating the necessity of growing rape or other green feed for autumn, it is capable of carrying more stock and providing earlier spring feed than anything else of a permanent nature here.

During the seasons 1926-27 and 1927-28 the carrying-capacity of lucerne was tested against a similar area of young perennial ryegrass and red and white clover pasture, figures being taken from September to January in each season. The lucerne showed a carryingcapacity equivalent to 3-98 sheep per acre per annum for the period, against 2-93 for grass pasture. The land was of a similar nature in each case, varying from good to medium loam with shingle outcrops. The grazing method was identical in each case, stocking being intermittent throughout the growing-period, with both areas unstocked during the winter. Practically half of the lucerne area used in the trial has been grazed during spring and summer every season since its establishment in 1921.

It may be stated that winter grazing of lucerne has never been practised at Ashburton. If growth is fed down in March the stands are practically dormant during winter, and no good purpose is served by stocking at that stage. The best stands on this farm have shown a carrying-capacity equivalent to . 3-2 'sheep per acre per annum, with sufficient lucerne hay to bring the figure up to 6-7 sheep if supplemented by winter grazing in grass paddocks, which do not necessarily require to be good pasture-land, but light holding country for feeding-out purposes. Such country may safely be stocked at the rate of ten ewes per acre ; and, although our experience'in this respect is confined to actual winter months only, there is no evidence that it could not be continued for. a longer period without, ill effect upon the health of the stock.

A ration of 2| lb. of lucerne chaff per head per day, with supplementary grazing as described, has been found sufficient to winter breeding-ewes well. A first draft of lambs, representing approximately 45 per cent, of the mob, from ewes wintered in 1924 in this way and depastured thereafter on green lucerne, realized the record price at that time of 46s. per head when three months old. Indications, however, are that as a finisher for forward stores lucerne is slower than good rape.

During 1923 a mob of 300 forward store lambs on account of Messrs. Dailey and Manchester was drafted into two lots of 150 each and topped off on lucerne and rape respectively. Although actual figures are not available, the.writer was informed by Mr. Dailey that the number of second-grades was much higher among lambs fattened on lucerne than among those on rape. Though this trial may not be considered sufficiently searching to warrant its being taken as definite under all conditions, the writer is of the opinion that at least for the season mentioned it was quite reliable. There was an evident bloom or finish on rape-fed lambs which was lacking among those on lucerne.

Until the present seasonduring which two sheep on the farm have so far died from scour—deaths among sheep grazed on lucerne have never been attributed to this cause. Although somewhat laxative when the growth is very young, and short, it soon hardens up if sunshine prevails. In certain seasons, notably in 1925, when rye-grass and clover pasture was rather badly affected with rust, and ewes and lambs grazing thereon were scouring more or less, it was noticed that when moved on to green lucerne scouring ceased immediately. However, the death-rate from other causes, principally blowing or bloat, has always been higher on lucerne than on- pasture, and for the seasons 1925-26-27 deaths directly attributable to this cause represent quite 3 per cent, of the sheep grazed. - Although the majority of such deaths have occurred following heavy dews overnight or during showery weather, quite a number have been recorded under extremely dry conditions with north-west winds blowing day and night.

RATE OF SOWING.

In sowing certain areas in the seasons from 1917 to 1921 provision was made to compare various rates of sowing, 2| lb., 5 lb., 18 lb., 15 lb., and 16 lb. per acre being tried. The respective distances apart in the rows were 7 in., 14 in., and 21 in.

If judged by the amount of hay produced, the rate of sowing, within certain limits, appears not to be important.* 5 lb. per acre in 21-in. rows will produce as much as will 15 lb. ; or 8 lb. in 7-in. rows as much as 16 lb. While 2| lb. per acre in 7-in. rows is manifestly too thin a seeding, the same rate in 21-in. rows has under dry conditions produced as much as a 15-lb. seeding. This would appear to indicate that there is no gain in seeding up to 15 lb. per acre, even in 7-in. rows. However, even if comparatively thick seedings ultimately mean a survival of the fittest (and no doubt they do), there is plenty of evidence that light seedings encourage the. early incoming of grasses to the detriment of the stand.

WIDTH OF ROW.

Except perhaps on hard - pan, where plenty of room for lateral root-growth is necessary, the 21-in. row method of growing lucerne is

not advocated. The chief objections to such a spacing are its unsuitability for haying, the encouragement of grass and weed growth between the rows, and the fact that when grazed in spring and summer, following winter cultivation, dingy wool invariably results, through the 1 introduction of dust and dirt in dry windy weather. Probably its chief virtue from a grazing viewpoint is that, with the extra walkingroom provided, stocking may be delayed during early spring until the lucerne hardens up. , xpr

The 14-in. row system, while having this grazing advantage to'some extent, presents similar difficulties for haying, the crop usually requiring to be cut with the rows, and not round about, as may be done with 7-in. rows or broadcast lucerne.

Average yields of hay over a number of years favour the narrow spacing, showing a distinct drop when the 21-in. rows are reached. Instances are on record of an increase of 2 tons in green weight per acre in favour of 7-in. over 21-in. rows. On lands of free subsoil the 7 in. row is for general purposes undoubtedly the best.

PREPARATION OF SUITABLE SEED-BED.

The importance of a well-consolidated seed-bed cannot be overstressed, especially where the seed is being drilled in. Cases have come under notice here where a seeding of 2 J lb. per acre in 21-in. rows has produced as many plants per yard as a seeding of 15 lb., due entirely to overdeep sowing in the latter case. Investigation has shown that numbers of poor strikes and subsequent thin stands have resulted through sowing the seed too deeply. While the drilling method is advocated for local conditions in preference to broadcasting, owing to the fact that more even strikes are assured if the seed-bed has. been properly prepared, it is realized that difficulty is sometimes experienced in getting the top-soil sufficiently consolidated under dry conditions to ensure shallow seeding.

If after the seed-bed has been prepared it is found to be too. dry and loose the following method has been found excellent: Roll and leave the ground until rain falls. Allow sufficient time for annual weeds to germinate, then harrow, and when the surface mulch is sufficiently dry to ensure its falling in behind the coulters when drilling is done roll again, and sow, using blunt grain (or preferably turnip) coulters for the work. If the weather has been favourable and these operations rightly timed, sowing to a depth of from | in. to 1 in. is quite feasible without suspending the coulters in any way, and with sufficient dry tilth to cover the seed without, resort to harrow or roller. The .fact is that the object is defeated if either of these implements is used, as anything up to an extra inch of covering may then result. The roller has nothing whatever to recommend it at this stage. It consolidates the top-soil and detrimentally affects early seedling growth.

MANURING, LIMING, AND INOCULATION.

It has been recorded that in establishing certain stands, where lime and super were tested against lime alone, superphosphate gave a 75 per cent, increase in the first year, and even in the third season after

establishment a 7 per cent, increase in its favour was recorded. Thereafter the lime plots were equally good. However, the increase due to the ’addition of super over the three seasons, and the absence of weed-growth due to the extra cover thus afforded in the first season, leave no doubt as to the value of this fertilizer in establishing lucerne. It is quite evident that lateral root-growth due to its application at time of sowing is purely temporary, and that tap-root growth is not retarded to any appreciable extent by its use. Plants taken from a stand eighteen months old, on one of the best areas of the farm, where super at 2 cwt. per acre had been applied at time of sowing, were quite free from lateral growth, and the taproots were in some cases 5 ft. in length.

The effect on growth and colour from applications of inoculated soil prior to sowing has always been most marked. In the course of establishment stands receiving applications of 3 cwt. per acre without super have produced as much in green weight during their first season as those receiving 2 cwt. super without inoculated soil. An attempt was made in 1917 to establish lucerne on the farm without lime, manure, or inoculated soil, and the result can be regarded as a failure. A similar attempt with lucerne in 21-in. rows was made in 1919, and this stand merely existed until lime and inoculated soil were applied some eighteen months later. Quite good stands have been established where the land has received an application of lime ' alone, but the quickest returns have been obtained by using lime, manure, and inoculated soil prior to or at time of sowing.

GRAZING AND ITS EFFECT UPON THE STAND

It would be idle to state that lucerne stands used exclusively for grazing are not detrimentally affected thereby, however careful the management.. However,' the degree of damage is not greater than one would expect, and in most cases is quite in proportion to the amount of grazing done. Although apparently unaffected for the first three or four seasons, grazed areas have then shown a falling-off in carryingcapacity. Spring growth is slower, and the incoming of grasses and weed grasses is noticeable. Weed grasses, such as barley-grass, goosegrass, and hair-grass, are seldom eaten by stock when better feed is available, and they run to. seed in autumn and spread rapidly. Stands hayed in summer and grazed in autumn make more rapid growth in spring, and, generally speaking, are almost entirely free from grasses.

If judged on the wide-row system there seems little in the contention that lucerne should not be grazed until thoroughly established. The damage to stands grazed from their first season onward is apparently no greater than where the practice has been to hay for two and three seasons and then graze. It may be, however, that with the extra root-room and air-space provided the young plant is better able to sustain itself than if sown in narrow rows or broadcast. It has certainly been observed that lucerne, in 21-in. rows comes away quicker after cutting and grazing than in 7-in. or 14-in. rows.

Old lucerne stands sown in 1917, although now becoming- infested with Poa pratensis, are still producing too much feed to warrant ploughing up. These stands have been used almost entirely for grazing

during the past six seasons. Apart from their value for haying and grazing, they have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of lucerne in smothering Californian thistle. The land was rather badly infested with the thistles when sown, but none have been observed since the lucerne became established.

TOP-DRESSING

The response of lucerne to fertilizers used as a top-dressing has always been more marked on narrow than on wide rows, particularly on comparatively young stands. With the extra feeding-ground provided by the wide spacing, the plant at this stage is probably capable of producing something near its maximum without top-dressing. The lasting effect of super as a top-dressing for lucerne is evidenced by the following results. A stand sown in 1921 in 7 in. rows was top-dressed for the first time in 1924. The weights given below represent one cut in each season.

11l VvVKJII O V LbkJ W 1 A • ' Season 1924. Green Weight Increase over per Acre. Control. ■ Tons. Tons. Control (no manure) . . . . ' . . 2-98 .. Lime, 840 lb. per acre . . . . . . 3-59 o-6i Super, 2 cwt. per acre.. ■.. . . 4-15 1-52 Lime, 420 lb., and super, 2 cwt., per acre 4-00 1-20 Season 1925. Hay Weight Increase over per Acre. Control. Tons. Tons. ■’ Control .. .. . . . . 2-19 . . Lime . .. ... .. .. 2-56 0-37 . Super - . . ‘ .. . . . . 2-52 ' o-33 Lime and super .. .. ... 2-67 0-48 ■ . Season 1926. Green Weight Increase over per Acre. Control. Tons. Tons.Control . . . . . . . . 4-6 Lime . . . . . . . . 5-6 i-o Super . . . . . . . . 7-2 2-6 Lime and super .. .. . . 7-6 3-0 Season 1927• Green Weight Increase over , per Acre. Control. Tons. Tons. Control . . . . •• •• 5-0 Lime - . . ... .. .. 5-7 0-7 Super . . . ... . . . . 6-4 1-4 Lime and super . . .. . . 6-3 1-3

As the aftermath in each season has shown marked growth in favour of fertilizers the actual increase can scarcely be estimated. All plots were cultivated and harrowed immediately following the application of lime and super in 1924, and have received similar cultural treatment in each successive winter, which fact makes the lasting effect of the super rather remarkable. It will be noticed that its greatest increase over the control is recorded in the third season after application. The land where the trial was conducted had received 1 ton of burnt lime per acre previous to sowing in 1921.

WINTER FEEDING OF HAY OR CHAFF.

Lucerne hay or chaff is relished by sheep of all breeds and ages. Half-bred station ewes that have never seen hay are no. exception, and take to it readily. Although not considered a completely balanced stock-food, good lucerne hay evidently possesses some quality, which aids digestion and makes it a valuable winter fodder for sheep, even if feed alone. Where the stocking is heavy during the feeding-out period and the breeding-ewes are relying entirely on .hand-feeding, they should be driven about frequently during the last month' of pregnancy, otherwise protrusion of the vagina will result through lack of exercise. If left to themselves they soon cultivate the habit of lying about waiting for the ration of hay or chaff to be brought along. When given sufficient exercise, the death-rate among the sheep at this farm from any cause which could be attributed to the exclusive feeding of lucerne hay or chaff has been nil over a period of three seasons.

HAYING

' Where the haying-implements . comprise mower and automatic horse-rake only, the following method of saving medium hay crops has been found economical, and the hay produced, quite good : When mowed, rake into light windrows as soon as the hay will leave the rake cleanly, the length of time between cutting and raking depending on the time of year, weight of crop, &c. . First cuts require a proportionately longer period before raking, owing to the moist condition of the land and the sappiness of growth at that time. From windrows rake into small cocks or coils of from one to two fork-loads, using the horse-rake in the following manner : Take only, half of the amount required for the cock in the first trip along the windrow. When the end is reached turn and. rake the opposite way, travelling on the same track till the half cock is reached and giving it a half-turn in the operation. This makes a clean job and does away with trimming and topping, an operation which often involves a waste of time where high winds prevail. If rain falls before the stuff is fit to stack (as it so often does when the farmer has hay on the ground) the cocks should be left undisturbed for a day or two, when, if the weather has been favourable in the interval, most of the moisture will have settled to the bottom. When turned, a few hours should finish the drying with a minimum loss of leaf and resulting in hay of quite good colour.

International Seed-testing. — Under the uniform system, of testing and reporting proposed by the International Seed-testing Association,” states the annual report of the Fields Division for 1927-28, New. Zealand, as a member, will be required to make a considerable number of special analyses on export lines. This will necessitate our strict adherence, to the European system of testing, and it will therefore be necessary to make provision in staffing -. and equipment in the near future. These international certificates will be recognized in any country, and will be directly comparable with analyses made therein. This will result in the removal of many of the difficulties encountered in the export trade at the present time.” .