LIQUID MANURE ON GUMLAND

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 66, Issue 1, 15 January 1943, Page 7

LIQUID MANURE ON GUMLAND

Spectacular Response Obtained by Northland Farmer Through Topdressing With Shed Washings

By

P. S. SYME,

Instructor in Agriculture, Warkworth.

ALTHOUGH he is a firm believer in the value of topdressing, observation and experience ' have convinced Mr. H. B. Browne, Wellsford, that artificial fertilisers fall far short of the genuine article. The shoemaker believes there is nothing like leather, and Mr. Browne is satisfied that there is nd perfect substitute for farmyard manure. Actuated by this belief, and further impelled by the shortage of fertiliser, Mr. Browne decided to follow the lead of Taranaki farmers, and to utilise the shed washings for topdressing. Fortunately for the success of the project, the shed is situated on steeply sloping ground, and by excavating the face of the bank it was found possible to run the washings direct into a distributing tank. This avoided the need for a holding sump or . a pumping outfit, and greatly reduced overhead costs. The Distributor Since, in the absence of a collecting sump, the success of the system would largely depend on having a convenient and speedy distributor which could be used - every day regardless of the weather, Mr. Browne decided to employ motor traction. Fortunately, an old truck was already available, and the only outlay involved was the provision of a specially made 200 gallon tank fitted with an agitator, and made of heavy gauge iron. This tank was fitted to the chassis of the truck as illustrated, and has sufficient capacity to deal with one day’s washings. Fitted with double rear tyres and chains, the outfit is both speedy and efficient. Although much of the farm is undulating to steep, and the soil is heavy clay, distributing the load has at no time proved difficult. Even in wet weather, the allocations being so arranged that easy fields are topdressed when the going conditions are bad, while the steeper country is treated

only when the ground is reasonably dry. Mr. Browne’s farm comprises 103 acres in grass and carries about 60

cows. The system, has been in operation for about a year, so that Mr. Browne is now in a position to assess its practical value. The work of excavating the approach to the shed and fitting the distributing tank was done by Mr. Browne himself, and the only cash outlay involved was £5O for the tank. Annual Value The liquid manure to be obtained each year from the herd of 60 cows,

translated into its “artificial” equivalents would approximate 12 cwt. sulphate of ammonia, 12 cwt. potash salts, 5 cwt. superphosphate, 5 cwt. lime, and would be worth about £22. Allowing for interest, depreciation, and distribution charges, this obviously leaves ’ little margin for expensive plant, and if regarded purely on the basis of analysis and price, the use of liquid manure compared with artificial fertilisers would barely pay its way. Mr. Browne, however, is convinced

that chemical analysis is not a fair basis of comparison. Experience has clearly shown him that liquid manure is much more efficient than artificial fertilisers, and possesses special virtues of its own which greatly enhance its value. Moreover, artificial fertilisers are unobtainable at present beyond allocation quotas, regardless of price. Spectacular Responses That there' is much to be said for Mr. Browne’s contention is readily

proved by an inspection of his pastures. , Judged on the basis of analysis one would certainly expect an appreciable response from shed washings. In actual fact, however, the response can best be described as spectacular, and must be seen to be properly appreciated. Even with a quick-acting phosphatic fertiliser like superphosphate the response is apt to be relatively slow, and improvement in the grass elements tends to await the improvement in the clovers. With liquid

manure on the other hand, the response is almost immediate, as shown by the accompanying photographs taken only fourteen days after treatment. The ryegrass has made quite remarkable growth in the interval, and there has been practically no time lag after application.

. An inspection of the grass following treatment might suggest that the growth would be unpalatable to stock. Admittedly this might be true if given an overdose, but applied at the rate of a 200-gallon tankful to an area of about 14 chains by 6 feet, it has been found that in showery weather stock will graze the treated area the following day after application. In this connection, however, Mr. Browne attaches great importance to the fitting of an efficient agitator to insure an even flow of uniformly blended washings. Without this, excessive fouling of the grass is apt to occur, so that patches are neglected by stock, and become very rank and unsightly. First Year’s Operation Summing up his experience of the first year of operation, and considering the system as applied to his own farm, Mr. Browne is highly satisfied with his investment, and- can think of little to alter. Although the cost of the motorised outfit together with the benzine used may at first sight appear to be high, it is pointed out that these are the only costs, and considering the resulting speed and convenience of distribution, it may possibly in the long run prove cheaper than a horse-drawn conveyance. Daily Distribution \ When 1 the project was first considered, it was pointed , out that .in the absence of a collecting tank, the distributing of the manure would prove an irksome daily chore, and moreover, one

which would present some difficulty in wet weather. Thanks, to Mr. Browne’s foresight in providing a really speedy and efficient spreader, this daily distribution has presented no difficulty, and has made no heavy demands on time, involving on an ■ average only about 15 minutes each day. While it is claimed that, apart from its greater convenience, a holding tank improves the value of the manure by permitting time for a “ripening” process, Mr. Browne considers that this is more than offset by the increased costs,

and anywav. the results he is obtaining could hardly be bettered. Winter Growth Whether it is preferable to treat 20 acres twice . each year, or about 40 acres once, can be determined only by experience, and the 'reaction of the grazing stock. Much .will probably depend on the degree of fertility, and the existing pasture sward. Wherever the treatment has been applied, the response has been impressive, particular benefit resulting where the . sward was

extremely poor. Normally, prolonged heavy topdressing over a period of years is needed to build up a pasture on . this class of land, and liquid. manure seems to offer a promising short cut in this direction. It was also found that treated pastures gave noticeably better winter growth, a factor of . considerable importance to the health

of stock- at a time when natural green feed is at a premium. No More Waste Considered on his experience to date, Mr. Browne is emphatically of the , opinion, that the use of liquid manure is both practicable and profitable, so

long as proper care is taken to keep the overhead ' charges within reasonable limits. So far as he is concerned, the practice has come to stay, and even if artificial fertilisers were once more freely available, he would never again tolerate the wastage of this valuable natural fertiliser.