“PASTURE IS THE FARM”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 2, 5 March 1947, Page 3

“PASTURE IS THE FARM”

ESSENTIAL FOR PRODUCTION From about 40,000,000 acres, farming in New Zealand produces about £100,000,000 worth of meats, wool and dairy produce, writes H.A.S. in the Dominion. This is from pastures good, bad and indifferent, averaging a return of £2 10s an acre and providing in aggregate 98 per cent, of the value of production from our flocks and herds. All cropping plus concentrates would provide barely a 2 per cent, balance. The raw material for a £100,000,000 industry is of supreme importance to a little country such as this.

It is likewise for any individual farmer. Of what worth arc a fine home, . magnificent shelter-belts, splendid fences, sound tracks and roadways and any other such improvements, unless strong pastures provide the farm’s foundation? Well could New Zealand farmers adopt as their motto—‘Pasture is the Farm.”

These are seasonable thoughts, for within the next three months are made the great majority of sowing that determine the quality of future pastures. Good seed is in short supply and, therefore, early consideration should be given to require-’ ments and definite orders placed for one’s needs. Pasture seeds are at a high figure, I believe more costly than ever before—in units of money. This- does not necessarily mean that they are really “dear”; that depends upon the relationship between income and expenses. All animal products derived from pastures are fetching high prices, so seeds are in a fairly reasonable relationship. In any case, it is no use “spoiling the ship for a ha’porth of tar.” The worst of economies is to skimp on the seed used for a permanent pastures, and it is likewise foolish even to do so on a temporary one. In the first case there is a capital loss, and in the siecond one of revenue. This is particularly so as regards the quality of seed employed; and that is relatively from more important than the quality. No Need For Waste There is no need to waste seed. There are some who sow 50 or 601 b an acre when 401 b would do as well. A very heavy sowing does not make up for bad seed, nor for an ill-pre-pared seed bed. It is essential for satisfactory results to obtain a fine tilth, on top, to sow the seed evenly, to cover it lightly and, finally, on nearly all soils to roll after sowing. It is better not to sow straight super with the seed, as in about one in four or five cases adverse effects result from that. It is safer to give a topdressing about two months after the seed has come up. In view of the desirability of having all feed possible for the winter and spring it is advisable to sow down pastures as early as possible. In this regard account must be taken of special local conditions. As an example, it was recently learnt that it was unsafe to sow pastures on certain Waikato soils before mid-March no matter how favourable climatic conditions might be through the month before, owing to the risk that the seedling grass would be taken by soil pests such as cockroaches and locusts. From Manawatu experience, I would have thought it quite safe to sow now, following the excellent rains brought up by the southerly storm a week ago. Broadcasting Best Whether to broadcast or drill in the seed is a matter of opinion. Personally, I prefer broadcasting as this appears to give better cover on the ground. If I had to drill, I would run the drill twice across the paddock, at right angles, sowing half the seed at each run..

A good 401 b mixture today costs about £4 10s an acre; with the seeding raised to 501 b it costs £5 12s 6d, and at 601 b £6 15s an acre. There is no necessity to stand the extra cost over a 401 b sowing, where a really good seed bed is provided and the sowing is made between now and late May.

The nature of the actual mixture to be employed is worthy of close study, taking into consideration the type of farming that will use ,the pasture and also local condiitons. By ‘local” I mean not merely district condiitons but the detail of any actual paddock. Often there may be on one New Zealand farm three distinct types of paddocks, of varying fertility and moisture content, particularly. In the main, permanent sowings in New Zealand are of a rye-white clover base, but these should not be the sole consideration. Several other grasses deserve their place. By this, it will be judged that “H.A.S.” is a mixed pasture advocate. Furthermore, he will readily admit to being an admirer of cocksfoot for almost all types of New Zealand country, and for concentrated sheep farming as well as dairying.