Improving Nelson Pastures

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 66, Issue 6, 15 June 1943, Page 357

Improving Nelson Pastures

New Zealand’s prosperity whether in peace or war uiiiiiii is inseparably linked with her pastoral industries; grass is, and is likely to remain, this Dominion’s

front line crop. Inmprovement, therefore, in the country’s grasslands is the forerunner to increased carrying capacity, higher production, and closer settlement.

By -

D. M. E. MERRY.

Instructor in Agriculture, Nelson.

AS a province Nelson is not ideally suited to a purely pastoral economy—much of the hinterland is mountainous, much when cleared has proved to be of low fertility, of which the Moutere Hills is typical, while in the higher rainfall Collingwood county nature has disposed a considerable acreage of practically worthless pakahi. Geographically and climatically the province falls into three rather well

defined areas. These are Murchison county, Waimea county and theTakaka and Collingwood counties. Three Defined Areas The Murchison county lies inland in mountainous country on the main Nel-son-Westport route. This district has a well spread rainfall and though the valley flats . are nowhere extensive they are in general well suited to dairying. -

Nelson’s greatest wealth is won from Waimea county; here also are the largest centres of population — Nelson city and Motueka. Except ■ for - its coastal flank Waimea county is sheltered by encircling mountains. ' Probably no other district in New Zealand can lay claim to such a diversified production as this. Fruit, tobacco and hops are grown for export, truck crops for canning and neighbouring metropolitan markets, while the principal area of flat land, the Waimea plain, , is directed primarily to an arable system. Of the hilly country over 300 square miles are of heavy low-fertility clay, much of which has reverted from sown pasture to scrub, fern and gorse. On the lower foothills cropping was attempted in the earlier years of settlement, but yields were so poor that this method of farming has now been abandoned. The carrying capacity of this land in its present state is roughly

one sheep to 3-4 acres. Results have shown, however, that the more suitable country can be successfully grassed. Nevertheless, the liability of Waimea county to summer drought and its considerable extent of poor land seriously militates against high pastoral productiveness. Further, much of the farming in the county is very mixed with arable or cash crops playing a considerable part in the farm income. The Collingwood and Takaka counties are disposed toward the West

Coast and are separated from Nelson by a sizeable mountain range (2600 ft. over roadway), and have a much higher rainfall than has the Waimea. Indeed, in the Bainham district the rainfall approaches 150 in. annually. These districts are predominantly pastoral, though the dairying land is mainly coastal, with cattle and sheep grazing the hills. Centred about Onekaka and extending deep into the Collingwood district is a considerable

expanse of pakahi country. Attempts have been made at. the grassing of certain areas of this, but in general it is yet undeveloped and will probably remain so. Four Main Facts With this synopsis of the province and its basic agriculture one might reasonably ask, “How can Nelson’s grasslands be improved?” The answer is not simple. Climatic conditions, the

system of present farming, and the considerable soil variations all influence any swing to grassland improvement. There are, however, certain cardinal facts proved beyond all doubt which are stepping stones toward higher pastoral productivity Firstly, the liming and topdressing of run-out grassland in an endeavour at restoration must be considered as wholly uneconomic. Resowing to proved strains of grasses and clovers

is the only remedy, and this entails the purchase of Government certified ryegrass, cocksfoot, white and red clovers. There are few farmers today who do not appreciate the value of well-bred stock. Why then run selected stock on grassland of mongrel strain? Protection lies in Government sealed and tagged seeds which every merchant can supply. The duty is yours to see that you receive what you ask and pay for. Secondly, it is not unreasonable to state that land must be prepared in ample time for early sowing. Best results follow sowings made in late February—and this is where so many farmers fail. Late sowings inevitably imperil clover establishment and increase the risk of frost lift. When

clover fails the whole pasture is jeopardised. Clover is the backbone of all grassland, and 2 to 3 lb. of certified white clover should be included in every sowing, even though inferior strains may come in later in spite of liming and topdressing. Thirdly, it is wise to bear in mind that cover crops can often be inimical to good grass establishment. In fable we learn that “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” This has an application also to the sowing of grassland. Where quick growing annuals are seeded down with slower establishing perennials, the competition may be such that the establishment of a dense sward of the best grasses is permanently impaired.

In Nelson best results definitely follow. straight sowings as a word of warning, heavy inclusion of ryegrass, i.e., 3 to 6 lb. per acre, can have a similar smothering action to a cover of oats, swedes or rape. Montgomeryshire red clover at 2 to 3 lb. per acre . should always replace cowgrass in a permanent mixture. Fourthly, 40 to 45 lb. seed per acre is required to give a satisfactory ground cover and a dense sward. With less seed, pastures are likely to be either weedy or tufty. The practice of economy in seed is penny wise and. pound foolish. Proved Sowings Temporary Pastures: For a straightout temporary pasture down for 2 to 3 years and intended both for haying and grazing, Italian ryegrass (certified) at 20 lb. per acre (one bushel), plus 6 lb. of broad red clover (cowgrass) is probably unexcelled. Many such crops are mown for hay in the: early season and later cut for seed. Permanent Leys: The most generally suitable mixture for district sowing is: . Lb. per acre-.

All above Government certified. On land subject to dry summer conditions this mixture is unrivalled because of the deep rooting habits of the cocksfoot and Montgomeryshire clover. Many farmers disdain cocksfoot because of its reputed poor ability to stand close grazing and its proneness to tuft. District experience with cocksfoot of certified origin sown in suitable quantity has shown it to be persistent, and one of the most valuable components of any seed mixture.

Mixtures for Heavier Rainfall Districts: In the higher rainfall areas, notably in the Collingwood district, there are indications that ryegrass, crested dogstail and timothy are more suitable species than cocksfoot. Accordingly, less cocksfoot should be sown except on very free draining soils. The following mixture .will be found generally suitable there:

Similarly, in the Murchison district it is often desirable to reduce, or delete cocksfoot where the land lies wet. Lotus major should be included in such situations. Special Purpose Pastures. Figure 5 illustrates ’ a 4-acre paddock on Mr. W. G. Gibb’s property, Takaka, seeded down five years ago with 40 lb. per acre of prairie grass (Bromus unioloides). This is closed yearly for early spring grazing by the dairy herd, for which purpose it has been most valuable. Prairie grass is most useful in providing early feed, for which purpose it

should be winter spelled and never closely grazed. A recommended sowing for such an area would be 40 to 60 lb. prairie grass and 2 to 3 lb. white clover per acre on high fertility soils. This species can also be included in shortterm mixtures intended primarily for haying and in this role prairie grass has been successful on other dairy farms in Nelson, notably in the Rockville and Wakapuaka districts. Other Clovers: On coastal properties liable to occasional tidal inundation 1 lb. per acre of strawberry clover is invaluable. This clover does well under conditions of slight salinity.

Subterranean clover sown at the rate of 1 to 3 lb. per acre has been most successful in sowings in the Richmond foothill area, on light sandy soils, and on shingly, stony land throughout the district.

Sowing

Should grass seed be drilled or broadcast? As already indicated the sowing of a cover crop with a permanent seeds mixture is unwisethe same applies to drilling pastures. Generally - a broadcast sowing gives a better ground cover with a dense tight sward and fewer weeds. On poor country drilled sowings never sward down satisfactorily, often remaining in their drilled pattern. Rolling, following chain or brush harrowing after sowing is a very desirable practice. Again, lime and superphosphate are best applied immediately following sowing. It is not' expedient to cultivate in lime or fertilisers —they should be near the surface where they will be of greatest use.

Surface Renovation

Following a number of trials in which attempts were made in various parts of this district to establish subterranean clover, surface sown, in imgrass, cocksfoot and other suitable grasses on harrowed, though otherwise unworked and deteriorated pastures, the opinion was formed that the results were not commensurate with the expense involved. The reasons for failure appear to lie in the slowness of introduced clovers and grasses to gain foothold, browntop aggressiveness, and the climatic drawback consequent on dry summers and insufficient rain before the advance of winter. However, quite apart from these results several very successful attempts by farmers to establish subterranean clover have been seen, especially on stony, sandy or shingly soils. Burning off of existing browntop, or close grazing before attempting such surface sowings is considered helpful. A notable example of the success of subterranean clover surface sown, in improving shingly river terrace land is that on Mr. D.. G. Win’s property on the banks of the Buller River, Murchison. Where, however, ploughing is practicable this offers the best and most speedy method of grassland improvement.

Manurial Treatment

Good pastures, like good stock, respond to adequate attention. A dressing of 5 cwt. per acre of lime every year, or second year, will pay, handsome dividends. This treatment will also ensure the greatest effectiveness of the superphosphate ration, especially if the better pastures are carefully nurtured. Superphosphate is best applied in early autumn, not midwinter as is only too common. Unfortunately basic slag is now. unprocurable. In this dis-

trict basic slag under trial has proved definitely superior to superphosphate on soils of the Moutere Hills class, and a similar result has been obtained on the property of Mr. E. M. Brown, Murchison. It has proved at least equal to superphosphate on trials on Mr. G. D. Dixon’s property, Wakapuaka, and on Mr. J. Wigzell’s property, Rockville. On these latter properties, soils of the Moutere class, and a trial on Mr. K. Baird’s property, Motupipi, Takaka, potash in the form of 30 per cent, salts, applied with a phosphatic . fertiliser, has given a definite and strong response. - . Summary Nelson can improve her pastures immeasurably if run-out grassland is resown with grasses and clovers of certified origin in .suitable mix-

tures. Earlier sowings should be made the rule and the unsound practice of cover cropping and neglecting to sow white clover abandoned. Lastly, lime, which is the province’s heritage, should be liberally applied at sowing down together with available phosphate. Grassland is a national asset—its improvement is of national importance at all times.

internal Parasites in Sheep and Calves A free copy of bulletin No. 171, which fully covers the question of the recognition and treatment of the internal parasites in sheep and calves is available from the Department of Agriculture at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin.

* Government certified.

Perennial ryegrass .. 25 Cocksfoot .. . . 12 White clover . . 3: Montgomeryshire red clover 2 to 3

Lb. per acre ryegrass Lb. per acre .. 30 .. . . 6 Timothy .. 4 Crested dogstail . . :. 2 to 3 White clover . . 3