SEASONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XL, Issue 4, 22 April 1930, Page 272

SEASONAL NOTES.

THE FARM.

The Pastures.

Despite the fact that harrowing of pastures has greatly grown in popularity there remain many farmers who do not harrow as much as. could profitably be done. ' Autumn harrowing of pastures proves of particular value. This can be understood when it is remembered that one of its objects is the proper distribution of animal-droppings which, if left long undistured, tend to make the pastures uneven and of coarse rank undesirable growth in patches, whereas if the droppings are properly distributed they exert a considerable valuable manurial effect. This, probably is recognized only in the older countries, in which the utilization of animal-manure receives so much attention. It can be grasped from the fact that careful investigation has indicated that in a year the dung produced by a herd of forty cows contains fertilizing - matter equivalent to 12 tons sulphate of ammonia, 6 tons sulphate of potash, and 3 tons superphosphate. The current cash value of this manurial material is well over £2OO. Efficient harrowing in the autumn results in much of this fertilizingmaterial being placed in .the best position to serve well as nutriment for the grass crop, whereas without harrowing the material ■ would increase the difficulty of proper pasture-utilization and also tend to bring about pasture-deterioration. . . . The importance of the proper utilization of animal-manure requires to be kept in mind not because animal-manure may take the place being given to artificial fertilizers, but because a knowledge of the fertilizingvalue of animal-manure makes clear one of the purposes and values of grassland harrowing. " Reference to the great cultivation value of harrowing was made in last month’s notes. The autumn top-dressing of pastures was also dealt with in some detail last month. If dependence .is to be placed on a single annual top-dressing it is highly probable that the best financial returns will be secured by applying it in the autumn. Especially should autumn, topdressing be practised if there seems any likelihood of a shortage of feed during winter and early spring. Once adequate rains have fallen such top-dressing will induce extra late autumn and early winter grass-growth. In the autumn young pastures require careful treatment; therefore they should not be grazed too closely, neither should they be allowed to become long and productive of seed. At times it may be of assistance in bringing about strong vigorous establishment if 1 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia to the' acre is applied in the autumn to young pastures, - once the soil is supplied with adequate moisture to make this manure effective. If the young pastures have not recently been dressed with phosphates, then the sulphate of ammonia would be only an addition to the dressing of phosphates which usually would be required, and which generally would be of greater primary importance than the nitrogenous dressing. . Sulphate of ammonia may be mixed with superphosphate, but not with basic slag or any other substance containing lime in any form. At the time of writing dry conditions are general, and farmers may be delaying the work of top-dressing. Even if rain does not fall it is. advisable to top-dress with phosphates so as to be able to secure immediate extra fresh growth as soon as the requisite soil-moisture has been supplied,.

and so as not to. have. too much top-dressing work on hand late in the season. There is no danger of the benefits of phosphates- being lost when applied under dry conditions ; they will act as soon as these conditions cease. ' With nitrogenous manures, such as sulphate of ammonia, ,it is different, and farmers who are contemplating its autumn application would be well advised to delay distributing it until rains have been experienced. - • Cereal-growing.

Important autumn work in connection with cereal-growing was discussed in the March Journal notes. ' Matters particularly calling, for attention, are . the control of disease and the use of manure. For the control of disease, it will be found profitable to treat the seed in. the ways recommended .by the Plant,.Research. Station rather' than in'the, manner sometimes adopted. The results of extensive field experimental work show that it is generally sound practice to apply at least i cwt. of superphosphate with autumn - sown cereals. Hence it is a matter for congratulation that last year ,in Canterbury 3 acres out of every 4 acres of wheat grown received on the average a dressing of slightly; more than 1 cwt. of manure to the acre. ■.

Autumn Utilization of Crops.

The fact that dairy cows are “ drying off is neither a - sound nor a wise reason for- subjecting them to poor feeding. The rule is that successful dairy-farmers feed the cows well during the non-production period. By doing this the cow's body and. constitution are built up, thereby enabling the cow to stand the strain and the drain of several months’ heavy production. ’ > • ■ . - ' ( ,

This building-up process carried out while the cow • is. not producing is desirable particularly 'with cows' of heavy yield, because it is likely that such cows will utilize for production during the early part of the milkingseason more nutriment than they consume ; hence it is necessary that they be able to draw upon their body reserves. The cow that is well fed •during her non-producing period can be' expected not. only to yield better after calving if she remains healthy, . but also to be able more effectively to resist attacks of disease germs, and. therefore more likely' to remain healthy.. Wide observation has established the fact that there is nothing in the belief that it is undesirable to have, the cows in good condition at calving-time ; and indeed that the truth lies in the contrary idea that they should be in a position to work off some of their body-weight during the early part of the season without becoming unduly lean. All this .leads to the conclusion that forage reserves should be sufficient to allow of .an early commencement of feeding of such materials as hay, roots, and ensilage, in case pasture-growth is inadequate to maintain the stock :in good 'condition prior to the advent of winter conditions. . - f .-,- . , ; The first winter is a trying and. critical time with young-farm stock, ■hence calves and hoggets ■ should receive the best. possible. attention, ■ especially in respect to feeding. . With this in mind, calves should be induced to commence the eating- of hay, ensilage, or other fodder strange ■to them before they really require it. By doing this a possible. set-back at a critical stage will be obviated, in that it will- be unnecessary for'them to undergo a sudden more or less complete change-in diet—and that, at a stage when they have become somewhat poor in condition. . Further; they should be supplied- as long as possible with clean, short, fresh pasture. - Likewise, if it is at all possible, hoggets should be turned on to fodder crops before they have' become low in. condition. This should be done gradually, allowing them a run on suitable pasture, so that their digestive organs will not • suddenly be called upon to function on a completely changed diet. '• - •- ' . . ' .. . p.i >

In the feeding of hay, ensilage, and roots, the ■ following points are worth keeping in mind : (i) If done on the poorer parts of a field the feeding of such fodder will ordinarily tend to improve the soil of those parts ; (2) if at all possible feeding out should not be done under wet ■conditions, as this will result in poaching of the ground ; (3) hay saved at an overmature stage may contain seeds of valuable pasture-species, which if scattered and trampled in may germinate, establish themselves, ■and produce highly beneficial thickening of an open weak sward.

When turnips are.to occupy an important place in the winter feeding of hoggets, the hoggets should be the first stock put on to each break of turnips, to be followed, after the tops have been eaten, by any sheep that are being fattened, and then by the breeding-ewes when- the turnips have been grubbed to make it easier for the sheep to eat the portions which remain. . FarmJ Subdivision.

Efficient utilization of the farm-pastures is dependent to some extent upon the number and arrangement of the internal fences. During the next few weeks there should often be convenient times in which to make any fencing alterations or additions which will- tend to give better grazingmanagement. Such work deserves very careful forethought. One important aspectthat of the water-supply for stock — advantageously be given immediate consideration on many farms ; the prolonged spell of dry weather experienced generally this autumn will have resulted in the stopping of the flow from all but the most reliable sources of water. Those places from which a supply of good water is still obtainable should be carefully noted, so that they can be taken into consideration when any subdivisional work is being done. —R. P. Connell, M.A., Fields Division, Palmerston North.

The Clipping of Horses.

It is . now seasonal to consider the question of clipping horses, and the ■object and advantages to be obtained by carrying out this practice. Nature has provided an extra-heavy coat for the colder months of the year in the case of animals which live under natural conditions. Rabbits' pelts give a good example of such a provision. The domestic poultry moult, and a new growth, of feathers is provided before the winter months. Horses and cattle wintered out-of-doors retain the old season’s coat right through .the winter as a protection against climatic conditions, even though the new coat is growing underneath. It is only in the spring and early summer, that normally this coat is lost.

In the case of domestic. animals being utilized for man’s convenience the question of removing the old coat by clipping is one of seasonal and district importance. . The horse is man’s beast of burden, and to obtain the best results in work the, farmer must use all care in the feeding and general welfare of the animal. . In spite of the advent of motor-power on the farm, horse teams are still much, in evidence, especially in the South Island, and the working-life of the team and the results obtained will be increased considerably by the care bestowed in the management of the animals. In the 'North Island, where teams are not often used to the same extent, and where horses are required for more spasmodic work, the question of clipping does not merit the same consideration. An ' animal only required for hacking purposes or doing a trip to the dairy-factory once or twice a day is not greatly inconvenienced by an excessive coat, especially as in between times it is not housed but allowed to graze. To obtain the best results -from a working team which is having constant employment, clipping and. daily grooming are most important, in addition

to a generous diet. Grooming, by providing a daily stimulation of the skin and a healthy coat, cannot be effectively carried out with heavy horses unless the winter coat is removed. It has been noticed repeatedly that horses improve in condition as a result of clipping and thorough daily grooming. If the coat is not clipped horses in heavy draught work sweat profusely at this season of the year, and this is often followed by a troublesome cough. The hair becomes matted with the sweat, dust, and scales from the skin. Such a condition readily leads to shoulder or saddle galls, either of which may upset the working ability of the team. In the case 1 of racehorses getting fast work, the animals are sponged down immediately and the saddle removed, and it is well known that the amount of time spent on grooming, these animals is not limited ; the coat is never allowed to become excessively long unless the animals are being spelled. The question arises as to what area of the body should be clipped. Each farmer requires to consider whether his team can be kept fairly constantly employed. If it can be so employed it is advisable to clip the body but leave the limbs. The long feather on the limbs is a protective covering, and from a health point of view it is not advisable to interfere with this. In cases where horses are not doing much carting the shoulders may be clipped, the line tapering back to the flank, or what is commonly spoken of as “ trace-high.” The shoulders should always be clipped as a-preventive of shoulder-galls. .

There are many points in favour of clipping, and very little can be said against the practice. Clipped animals are capable of more sustained work, and grooming with all its beneficial results can be more effectively carried out. Horses running outside in winter are usually protected by a waterproof rug, which is sufficient covering against rain or wind if. the legs are not interfered with. An extra warm lining may be inserted under the waterproof in the region of the kidneys. If horses are clipped before the cold nights and frosts become prevalent no bad after effects should be experienced. It may be said in conclusion that, next to feeding, clipping and grooming are the two most essential requirements in good horseTn anacr pm + - _ ■ _ _ _ . . .

J. E. Mcllwaine,

M.R.C.V.S., Live-stock Division.