More Autumn Saved Pasture On Most Farms

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 90, 1 September 1950, Page 5

More Autumn Saved Pasture On Most Farms

Although more autumn saved pasture has been kept this year by farmers in the Whekatane district than ever before much more feed could still be saved yet according' to the fields instructor of the Department of Agriculture at Whakatane, Mr E. R. Marryatt. He considered that up to one-third of growth on farms could be saved for the time when cows started calving. Without adequate feed in the first six weeks after calving cows would never be able to give their best during the season, Mr Marryatt said. This was particularly important and only by saving pastures for

autumn feed could the cows be properly fed. Mr Marryatt said that most farmers were beginning to realise the benefit derived from saving pastures for autumn feed. It was sound farming practice and paid handsomely. Much of the pastures saved had been fenced off by the electric fence. The value of such a fence on a farm more than paid back its cost. Most farmers who had used the fence had been pleased with it Mr Marryatt remarked. They had found it made a'tremendous saving and also made a quarter as much pasture available again for feed. The fence prevented cows wondering about tramping down grass or spoiling it.

There had been an unusual growth of grass on motet farms and this has been brought about by- a mild winter. However, incoming stock have made great inroads on most new growth.