New Zealand Grass Amazes Victoria

Chronicle (Levin), 7 December 1948, Page 3

New Zealand Grass Amazes Victoria

AUCKLAND, Dee. 6. Amazement at New Zealand 's high utilisation/'of grass for dairy production, was texpressed by Professor W. E, Petersen, Profesosr of Dairy Serviee, Minnesota University, during an interview today. Professor Petersen, who has been leeturing througliout the Dominion, retu'rns tomorrow to America. Ile said New Zealand had a treraendous advantage over other major dairying countries of the world in lier enormous production from grass, hay and silage. In the main American dairying States, 65 per cent of .feed had to be harvested and hand fed. There was obviously room for improvement in'the Dominion but'the best herds were equal to if not better in dairy type and production, than the best herds of any other country. New Zealand was breediug a distinet type of Jersey which suited t|e conditions of the country. Profgessor Petersen said ihe work of the Herd Recording Council and Herd Improvement Associations was unequailed in any other part of the world and he suggested that all dairy farmers should take advantage of tlieir • activities. He thought New Zealand had sometliing to* learn from America in the meclianisation of crop harvesting, They had equipment which enabled three men to harvest 120 tons of silage daily. There was also room in New Zealand for a study of unneeessary worlc in the dairy shed.