FARMING NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 147, 27 August 1941, Page 6

FARMING NOTES

HERD TESTING

IMPORTANCE RECOGNISED

FAIIMIi'RS> USING SERVICE

"The fact that an increasing number of dairy farmers is fully recognised tlie great: importance of herd improvement work in its enlarged scope is clearly indicated by our membership for the past season, when the number of herds under test was the highest since the inception of the Association," said the chairman of the Auckland Herd Improvement Association; Mr R. A. Candy, in his report to the annual

"At the beginning of the season we were requested to tlo our utmost to increase cur production of dairy produce, and in particular to produce at least 15,000 tons of cheese more," he continued. "II made mention in our last report that we could not, and would not fail Britain in her time of need. I am pleased to be able to say to-day that we have not failed her, and that we have produced far more than the minimum quantities asked of us. The combined determination of our farmers to give of their best, and the idea] weather conditions prevailing throughout the year, enabled this

to be done

"Particularly do we owe our thanks to that great band of silent heroines, the wives and daughters of the men on the land, who in so many cases, despite family responsibilities, have filled the gaps occasioned by the ever-growing demands of the Armj, Navy and Air Force on our manpower. The Future "Now. what cf the future? I think it may be truly said that all we in New Zealand have the ability lo produce is i-.ceded to feed well the folk of the Mother Country. Tho. amount of produce she will accept from us is limited only by the amount ■of shipping available. Our ability to produce is limited by the labour available, weather conditions, and the ability, to get goods absoessential to production. Particularly does this apply to fertiliser. We are now entering a period of restricted use of this commodity.

"It seems apparent therefore that, with the limitations just referred to. we will be hard pressed in the future to maintain our present standard of production. Obviously, our cow population cannot increase; in fact, with labour shortages and severe fertiliser rationing over a period, it may have to decrease somewhat. Therefore, the ability or inability of our cattle to produce at a relatively high level will receive more and more emplia-

| sis. Under these conditions the j average farmer's, opportunity for culling will be greatly increased. Our organisation will plaj' a big part in assisting farmers to do this work* intelligently. Herd Improvement Grants "We feel that the substantial amount of money made available by the industrj' and the Government to enlarge greatly the scope of herd improvement work has been well spent, and we have been pleased to co-operate fullj' in this effort tor the benefit, no!, only of our members, but also of the industry as 3 whole. "The income and expenditure account for the year ended May 31, 1941, discloses a surplus of £4301 3s Id, and after deducting the sum of £563 6s Id, representing the balance of the loss from the 1938-39 season, a net surplus of £3737 17s has been carried forward.

''The six Herd Improvement Associations operating in New Zealand recently agreed upon a standardised

form of presentation of the income and expenditure account and ijalnnee sheet, and as a result the financial accounts of your organisation ore now set out in a slightly amertci-

Ed Conn. The inclusion of detailed costs per cow should prove of inter-

est to members."

ENSILAGE SAVING

UTILISING THE PASTURES

FREE PADDOCKS NEEDED

An ample supply of hay or of Mlage or of crops allows a better utilisation of pasture. In those periods of the year when growth is slight or negligible, the farmer with inadequate reserves of feed hasi to punish his pasture severely, to the particular detriment of the better species of grasses and clovers. The severe grazing in turn causes a later growtli of grass in the spring.

Consequently, less paddocks are shut up for hay and silage in that season, or paddocks are shut .ip and cut at a later date, resulting in inferior quality hay or silage and a smaller aftermath. In other words, ftn insufficient reserve to feed tends to perpetuate itself and to cause in* ferior farm management. Late Spring; Undesirable In order to obtain the best silage from the best material, early closing and early cutting of the paddocks, is essential. Late ensilage is an undesirable practice. The paddocks to be used, for haymaking should also be' shut up before the end of October ready for cutting in November or December. For both hay and silage the cured material should be made from leafy growth. Hay or silage made from Avoody or fibrous material is of value only as

a roughage or as a maintenance ration for dry stock, whereas leafy hay or silage may be used with good results, as a production ration for milking cows, and for breeding ewes. Saving Hay An area of grass should be shut up for hay or silage that is sufficient to prevent the remaining paslures in use for grazing purposes from becoming too rank and mature for their best utilisation. It is better to have such grass as hay or silage rather than to let it go to waste as roughage.

It is profitable! to make the first

cut of lucerne into silage. The weather is usually more uncertain at this period of the year and the

first cut contains a bigger proportion of weeds. If a paddock of grass is available at the same time for ensilage, this -could be ensiled in conjunction with the lucerne.