MONTGOMERY RED CLOVER SEED PRODUCTION

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 5, 15 November 1941, Page 401

MONTGOMERY RED CLOVER SEED PRODUCTION

A steady demand now exists for certified Montgomery red clover seed. This article discusses the production of this seed, and describes

Production of Seed In Suitable Areas

the requirements and management necessary for success. It is emphasised, however, that practices vary considerably, not only from district to district, but also within districts.

By

S. H. SAXBY,

Instructor in Agriculture, Dunedin. lIIIIIIBIIIIIIIiIBIIIIIIIIHIIBIIKIIBIIHIIIIIIIIIIIHOIIHIir'Ia'iaiiBMiiuB

FOR seventy years or more broad red clover (or cowgrass as it is often called) . has played an important part in New Zealand pastures. Certain districts have specialised in the production-of this seed, which has earned a high reputation overseas because of its consistently good quality. It. is, however, only in comparatively recent years that Montgomeryshire extra late flowering red clover (to give it its full and descriptive name) has come into use in this country. Critical experimental work on this strain was begun in New Zealand as recently as 1926, and it was not until 1929 that Montgomery red clover (as it is now usually called) was regarded as - having proved its worth sufficiently to warrant its widespread use for grazing, haying, and seed production. Certification of this seed was started in the 1931-32 season, and as soon as the value of the type was recognised by the farming community a steadily increasing demand for its seed set in. The 1 imported seed was .usually high in price, and sometimes of indifferent quality. ’

It is not surprising, therefore, that the production of Montgomery red clover seed for our own farming requirements began to interest farmers in those districts which had in the past been regarded as producers of good quality red clover seed. And it is these districts, with certain exceptions, that are now the main producers of Montgomery red clover seed.

Description

Montgomery red clover is a longlived and leafy type with a dense, low crown. Growth begins rather late in' the spring, and carries on well into the autumn. As its name (extra late flowering) implies, it flowers much later in the season than broad red clover. From the seed producers’

point of view, its extreme leafiness and lateness in flowering are points that should be fully appreciated in order that successful results may be achieved.

Districts Suitable For Seed Production

Before entering on Montgomery red clover seed production farmers . should make sure that their district is suitable for this purpose. As Montgomery red clover flowers late in the season and consequently ripens late, it should be realised that districts which usually experience a wet, late autumn are unsuitable. One of the chief requirements for any seed production is good harvest weather. Because of the lateness of the harvest and the bulk of leaf to be handled, this is of special importance with regard to Montgomery red clover. The following table shows the number of paddocks and acreage of Montgomery red clover entered for seed certification in the 1940-41 season: —

Areas. Acreage. North Island (mainly Hawke’s Bay) 25 152 Marlborough 1 5 Canterbury (north of Waimakariri ?.. 30 326 Canterbury (Waimakariri to Rangitata) 35 485 Canterbury (south of Rangitata) ... 155 2,111 North Otago . / 40 663 Central Otago and Maniototo 8 66 Otago (Waihemo and « Waikouaiti Centres) . 52 424 South Otago and Southland .....\. 12 149 357 4,381

From this table it may be seen that at present the greatest number of seedproducing areas are in Canterbury and the Northern Coastal districts of Otago. Nevertheless, certain other districts could profitably extend their activities in seed production.

In the following discussion on the production of Montgomery red clover seed it should be borne in mind that practices vary considerably, not only from district to district, but also within districts. It is impossible to deal at length in this article with every successful local practice, but an attempt has been made to emphasise any particular practice or practices which, although unusual, may be regarded as sound in certain districts.

Soil Requirements

Although Montgomery red clover as a grazing proposition is valuable over a fairly wide range of soil conditions, experience has shown that seed, production should, on the whole, be concentrated on the better second-class country. On heavy rich country it grows very luxuriantly, and the large amount of leaf and stem produced is out of all proportion to the amount of seed set. This luxuriant growth results in a large amount of material to cut, dry, stack and thresh, all of which operations take place from late autumn to midwinter. In addition, there is the quality of seed to be considered. Heavy lying crops will usually produce a large proportion of partly formed browned seed, which is disliked by the seed trade. On the other hand, crops on the lighter land produce a much lower proportion of useless leaf and stem and a much better quality of seed.

Class of Seed To Sow

In order to, obtain the maximum returns from Montgomery red clover seed production, only the best seed should be sownand the best seed is one of the higher grades of certified seed, the produce from which may also be certified. The following shows the present position in regard to the various classes of seed available, and the class of seed which may be produced from the first harvest of each, subject, of course, to a satisfactory report following field inspection: . ■ (1) Government Stock Seed produces Pedigree Seed. (2) Pedigree Seed produces Mother Seed. (3) f Mother Seed produces Permanent Pasture Seed (First Harvest) (a).

(4) Permanent Pasture Seed produces Uncertified Seed (b). (5) Uncertified Seed produces Uncertified Seed (b). NOTE: (a) Subject to a satisfactory plot trial report, Mother seed may be produced in the second and subsequent harvests. (b) Subject to a satisfactory plot trial report, Permanent. Pasture or

Mother seed may be produced in the second and subsequent harvests.

Certification Procedure

The farmer who desires to have his seed certified finds it necessary to give attention to certain matters of detail. In the first place, he should preserve the insert slips, one of which is to be found inside each bag of seed. These insert slips record the identification numbers of the seed sown, and must be forwarded to the local officer of the Department of Agriculture, together with the grower’s application for certification. It is not necessary for an officer of the Department to be advised by the farmer before the seed is sown, but application for certification should be made early in the season in order that the necessary field inspection may be made at the correct stage.

A charge for, certification is made at the rate of Is per acre (with a minimum charge of 10s). The farmer is informed by letter of the result of the field inspection, and if the area is passed for certification is asked to advise the local office of the Department when threshing is about to take place. This action enables the local officer to give supervision to this stage of the proceedings, and to brand and seal the sacks of seed so that they may be identified when the seed reaches the machine dressing store.

It is to the advantage of the farmer who has more than one area in certification to stack and thresh the produce of each paddock separately. ' If this is not done and the produce of the different areas is eligible for certification in different classes, the whole line of seed can be certified only in the lower grade. Thus, if Mother and Permanent Pasture seed is threshed together, all seed is automatically classed as Permanent Pasture.

Seed Mixtures To Sow

As is the case with most other pasture plants, the optimum rate of

seeding of Montgomery red clover is not absolute, as the success of a pasture depends on so many other influencing factors. Under good conditions a seeding of 2 lb. per acre will give a satisfactory sward, whereas under adverse conditions a seeding of 10 lb. per acre might result in a -failure. The aim in sowing of most crops for seed is to produce a dense cover, but with Montgomery red clover a dense cover is not desirable. This is because at the time the crop is harvested dry- . ing conditions are, as a rule, not good, with the result that it not infrequently happens that great difficulty is experienced in getting what appear to be first class pure stands of Montgomery red clover into the stack in good condition. A stand which has the appearance of spaced plants rather than of a carpet of . clover almost invariably produces a crop that dries , out better, matures more evenly, and gives a higher yield of seed. In order to obtain this type of sward different rates of seeding are required

for- different types of country. On the second class country which is recommended for the growing of Montgomery. red clover for seed production, a seeding of 5 lb. per acre is usual. In parts of Central Otago where very dry summers are experienced and where the clover is sown pure, a seeding of up to 10 lb. per acre is adopted. On heavy country the rate of seeding should be reduced to 3 to 4 lb. per acre, which amount provides a sufficient cover of plants. It is the usual practice to sow at least one accompanying species when laying down a Montgomery red clover seed-producing area. Whatever is sown with the clover, there should be sufficient of it to fill up the gaps instead of allowing the weeds to take charge. At the same time, a seeding heavy enough to result in a smother of the clover in the early stages should be avoided. In Central Otago, where experience has shown that weed competition

is negligible, pure sowings are quite successful. ’ Both Italian ryegrass and perennial ryegrass are used to a considerable extent as accompanying species, and are sown at rates varying from 10 to 25 lb. per acre. A seeding of 5 to 6 lb. of cocksfoot has also been included on the lighter land with quite satisfactory results.. The following mixtures should be suitable for the two main classes of land under consideration: — Light land. Heavy land. Montgomery red clover 5 lb. 3-4 lb. Italian ryegrass . 15 lb. or Perennial ryegrass 20 lb. 15 lb. Cocksfoot (if desired) 51b. Timothy (if desired) 3 lb. Cover Crops The sowing of pasture mixtures with cereal or other cover crops has been

a controversial subject for many years and is likely to remain so. The fact that it is a controversial subject can, in itself, be regarded as an indication that farmers in various localities secure successful stands of Montgomery red clover by either one or more of the following methods: — (a) Sown at the same time as a cereal crop; - 1 ■ ’ 1 (b) Sown at the same time as a “feeding off” crop (for example, rape, kale); (c) Sown in the spring on top of autumn-sown cereal crop; (d) Sown without an accompanying crop. The general concensus of opinion and experience is that/ on the whole, sowing with an associated crop is not as satisfactory as is sowing without one: The sowing of Montgomery red clover with a crop such as rape or kale cannot be recommended because of the punishment the clover receives while the crop, is being fed off. :In South Canterbury, where the greatest amount of Montgomery red clover seed is produced, the spring sowing of the clover on top of autumnsown Cross 7 wheat or oats (preferably Gartons)" is a common practice. For successful establishment under these

conditions the land must be free from weeds and in such a condition that a good seed bed can be secured with the use of the roller or the harrows. In other districts satisfactory stands have been secured by sowing the clover at the same time as spring-sown oats, wheat and linen flax. The question of sowing clover with an associated crop may be summed up by stating that the practice is satisfactory provided the “cover crop” does not turn into a “smother crop,” and provided the clover does not interfere with the harvesting of the cover crop. This latter trouble is liable to occur in the case of late sown wheat. The farmer’s past experience with regard to cover crops on his own property should be a valuable guide.

Time of Sowing

Both autumn and spring sowings are practised in most seed-producing districts with satisfactory results. On the whole, late autumn sowings are not advisable, particularly in districts which experience hard and continuous frosts. Spring sowing, on the other hand, should be late enough to miss the frosts and yet early enough to enable the plants to become thoroughly established before the dry weather sets in.

Another point to be borne in mind is that spring-sown Montgomery ; red clover will not produce a seed crop in the subsequent autumn, whereas an autumn-sown crop may produce a satisfactory crop in the following autumn. Other things being equal, early autumn sowing may be recommended, provided experience, has shown that

a seed crop in the following season is possible in the particular district. Summer sowings are very satisfactory in parts of Otago and Southland where the rainfall is fairly evenly spread. In Central Otago, autumn sowings are recommended, as spring sowings are likely to fail , during the very dry summer months, except in isolated localities and on irrigation areas.

Lime and Fertilisers

On the second class soils which are suited to the production of Montgomery red clover seed experience has shown that the use of lime and phosphate is desirable. Land which has been limed for a previous crop is to be recommended, although in some districts crops establish quite well without lime. Periodical liming in subsequent years should be carried out. ;

Annual topdressings with superphosphate are recommended, and the fertiliser should be applied in mid to late spring when the flush of growth is over. The full effect of the phosphate will then be shown during the summer flowering period, when stimulation is required.

Preparation of Soil and Sowing

The universal rule for clover seed beds, fine and firm, applies to Montgomery red clover, although an extremely fine bed such as is required for white clover is not so essential, especially for autumn sowings. Firmness is necessary, however, if a good, quick, even strike is to be obtained irrespective of the season. The seed should be sown on a rolled surface and covered with the lightest of harrows. Light grass harrows turned on their backs, chain harrows, and the old-time brush or scrub harrow are all •satisfactory. The chief thing to watch in covering the seed is to see that it is evenly covered, but not dragged down too deep. Long-tined harrows \ on a loose seed bed bury far too much seed too deeply, which, of course, reduces the effective rate of seeding.

Treatment Before Closing Up -

Experience has shown that for the spring treatment of Montgomery red clover seed producing areas, grazing is, on the whole, better than haying. Grazing with either sheep or cattle is . satisfactory provided the growth is evened off when the paddock is closed up. When cattle are used it is advisable to trim the paddock with a mower to eliminate the unevenness usually associated with cattle grazing. The objection to haying before shutting up is that Montgomery red clover is, as a rule, incapable of producing both a good hay crop and a good seed crop. This haying has been carried out to a certain extent on some of the heavier country, but even here the lateness in the season by which the hay is cut prevents the clover stand from reaching its maximum development as a seed crop. On the lighter, country ,the position is accentuated in that dry weather may set in, with the result that only a very light seed crop is secured.

Time of Closing Up

The aim in seed production is to obtain the maximum amount of high

quality seed, and this is influenced to a very large extent by the time at which the paddocks are closed to stock. Early closing up is liable to result in a prolific growth of leafage, together with an uneven and prolonged flowering season. This large amount of leafage increases considerably the work involved in handling the crop at harvest time. In addition, extremely leafy crops 'often, contain a considerable proportion of shrivelled seed. On the other hand, late closing up has the disadvantage of causing a normally late harvest to be extended still further towards the winter. ; The ideal time to close up varies greatly from district to district and from season to season, such times varying from the middle of October to the middle of December. On average country early to mid November is early enough, but on heavy country paddocks may be grazed .for another month. 1 On light land which is liable to dry out badly in the summer, closing up as early as mid October is desirable.

Time to Harvest The Crop

Although weather conditions do not allow any set date of cutting to be predetermined, crops may be regarded as being ready to cut when 80 per cent, of the heads, are completely brown. No attempt should be made to wait for the whole crop to ripen, as by the time this has taken place the season will be well advanced and much of the seed already set will have shaken and possibly sprouted. On the lighter soils crops are usually ready to cut about the middle of March, or earlier in -dry seasons. Seed crops on the heavier soils are not usually ready to / cut until the end of March or sometimes even .late in April.

Methods of Cutting

Three methods of t cutting the drop are in use. These are:— (1) The field mower. (2) Side delivery mower. (3) Header harvester.

(1) THE FIELD MOWER.

The majority of crops are cut with the field mower. This may be attributed, in part, to the fact that it is largely satisfactory, and in part to the fact that a mower is already standard equipment of most farms. This second point is important, especially when areas to be dealt with are not large. In good average crops the mower makes a good clean job, leaving a minimum amount of material on the ground, and causing a minimum of shattering. In heavy crops it is usually necessary to have an extra man on hand to clean knife and shedder blockages. With short crops, the mower in its ordinary conditions leaves much to be desired because of the difficulty of picking up the cut material. To overcome this difficulty, many attachments are fitted to mowers, most of them home-made. These range from two sacks trailing behind the knife to a more elaborate apparatus, the clover buncher. Many of the attachments work satisfactorily, provided the time and labour factors are not important. The clover buncher, however," deals admirably with very short crops, provided a certain amount of grass seed stalk is also present. It also has the advantage that it can be worked economically by one man in light crops.

(2) THE SIDE DELIVERY MOWER.

The great advantage of the side delivery mower. is its ability to cut the crop and swing the cut portion out of

the danger of damage in the subsequent round. It also leaves, the cut herbage in a comparatively narrow or bunched windrow with the heads up, which makes for easier subsequent, handling. In addition, no turning is necessary, even under bad weather conditions. In good average crops which are not badly tangled the side delivery mower is excellent. On . very heavy crops difficulty may be experienced, as the arms are not powerful enough to separate the crop even when every arm is sweeping the board. (3) HEADER HARVESTER. During the past few years the header harvester has been used to an increasingly large extent for the handling of Montgomery red clover seed

crops, particularly in South Canterbury. Any crop must be absolutely dry or “rotten ripe” if it is to be direct headed efficiently, and this condition, it must be remembered, is hard to obtain in a normal season in much - of South Otago and Southland. While direct heading of Montgomery red clover is carried out, it is most satisfactory on the lighter land and on old stands. The'habit of the plant of sometimes remaining green even after the seed head is ripened prevents the practice from becoming general. Headers are, however, used with the pick-up attachment to harvest either from the swath or from side delivery cocks. If good judgment is used and threshing takes place only during the