POINTERS ON PASTURES FOR DAIRY LAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 58, 28 February 1949, Page 3

POINTERS ON PASTURES FOR DAIRY LAND

Management For Promoting Quality (By W. H. Mandeno, Consulting Officer, N.Z. Dairy Board, Whakatane) With the excellent showers of rain experienced this summer production from the Bay of Plenty—and in fact throughout the main dairying - districts of New Zealand—is setting records, There • are, however, a few points regarding pasture growth . at this time of the year that are worthy of note. There are some fairly dramatic effects of pasture growth in the spring with bloating troubles' and sometimes in the autumn with facial excema. In the summer conditions are, generally, fairly safe. It is the quick growing bushfeed that is responsible for most upsets in the cow during her lactation period. With dry weather the 1 safety of the feed is due mainly to the maturity of the pasture. Pasture Quality The factors that control quality of pasture act through the relative proportions of leaf and stem growth. The increase in stem raises the fibre content of this feed whilst the leafage represent the protein content. It is of interest that in the early stages of growth the feeding values of most grasses are very similar, but many factors such as length of growing season and environment determine the actual pasture species that go to make up a particular sward. In an attempt to increase “the early growing stage” the . rank j growth and seed heads are topped either by mowing or grazing and the plant is forced to produce more leafage before again going to seed. The more favourable the conditions after this topping the longer the spell of leaf production will last.

This is a strong reason for early harvesting of silage as late spring showers enable a good afteVmath to be obtained before the important rye constituents of the sward have nearly ended their seasonal cycle. In a similar way the heat of summer gives good second cuts of hay where paspalum grows strongly on the flats. It is to obtain a continuity of the leafy stage that different species are incorporated in a pasture. By proper management these main species are able to contribute their maximum usefulness at the various Seasons, but by neglect in a favourable season. there is a danger that undue dominance of, say paspalum, may be reflected in weak growth of another specie such as rye in the winter and spring. Paspalum Control % On the low lying areas the association of rye grass, white clover, „ and paspalum is capable of produc- I ing a great deal of palatable feed .throughout the year. Because the climate of the Bay of Plenty is ideal for paspalum means that this grass must be vary carefully controlled by grazing and mowing to avoid the j sod-bound effect go often obtaining. ! On the lighter . free draining land , where dry weather reduces' the j growth of all grasses it is necessary! to provide supplements to pasture I at this time of the year-—for this can j by .no means be, regarded as the | “'average” season. Not only does the j growth of grass fall off. but its : pale Lability 'and digestibility • r. , drop. If a cow is not provided with i foods, which tempt her to cat-to the rnruwmcn of her cape coy, 'us-' production, must fall heavily. Thai heat of summer has a depressing effect on the yield of milking cows, but if what she does have to eat is fibrous and indigestible she is still less able to produce. In some cases it may be advisable to renew pastures after taking a crop for summer feeding, but on farms with good swards silage probably is the most economical supplement. Good silage can maintain high yields due to its protein content and succulence. However, in the use of summer crops and in the conservation of silage a large waste of feed occurs. It is this problem which is

being tackled by plant research workers. Hard To Hold It is well known that red clover is hard to hold in a permanent pasture, but it is also realised that a good growth is obtained from it in late summer. To have a strong stand available for rationing to the herd in February and March is the object of the Special Purpose Pasture advocated by the Plant Research Bureau. • Whilst management of swards presents some difficulty, the advantages of using a palatable and nutritious fodder as it grows should outweigh such complexities/ Farmers thinking of renewing some of their pasture this autumn may well be advised to seek the advice of the local Fields Instructors regarding the use of special purpose pastures.

Rangifaiki Axemen’s Sports SATURDAY, MARCH 19 Nominations Close March 5.