Grassland Research Helps Production

Chronicle (Levin), 23 November 1949, Page 9

Grassland Research Helps Production

ROTORUA, Nov. 22. Officers elected at the annuai meeting of the New Zealand Grassland Association last night were: President, Mr. Jf. W. Smallfield (Wellington); secretary; Mr. S. H. Saxby (Wellington); exeeutive committee, Messrs E. Bruce Levy. A. G. Elliott and F. R. Callaghan. lt ■ was deeided to abandon the genei'al committee and the executive was empowered to eleet the Southlanci committee. Invercargill was fixed a? the venue of the 1950 eonference which will be held in November. There is a number of reasons for re garding Rotorua as a very appropriate eentre in which to hold a grgsslano eonference, said the president (Mr. F. R. Callaghan) in his address to - tne eonference. He drew attention to the fact that "in his district probably to a greater extent than anywhere else m New Zealand much new land is being established in grass pasture. Frontiers are being extended and pioneering grassland is still being promoted. "In this district too there exists that remarkable association of indigenom and exotic forests with grassland tarua ing to a more prunounced extent than in any other part of the Dominion. This district has seen the successful over c'oming of that serious disease, busii sickness, where lack of eobalt in other wise luscious pastures made it impossible to maintain stock in a healthy condition. Today when great difficulty is experienced in linding even one animal aifected by bush sickness, we are apt to forget the great seriousness of this disease to farmers up to tiie 1930 's," he said. "Maori and pakeha here are devejoping on unique soil a type of grassland farming along lines which are so successful as to maKe Rotorua in future a eentre possessed oi an agricultural reputation which wilJ vie with and add to its reputation as a scenic and health resort." Mr. Callaghan referred to the work done by the past president of the as sociation (Mr. A. H. Cockayne) in Oringi ng grassland farming to the high planeait now oceupied. In the past 40 years the average volutne of production on all grassland in the Dominion had mcreased two and a half times, continued Mr. Callaghan. Cattle and sheep •numbers had increased three-fold in tlii *— .

North Auckland and four-fold in the South Auckland District vyith an merease in dairy cows eight-t'old and sixfold respectively. Pasture breeding and selection, nutrition, utijisation and eonservation and plant diseascs and pests were fully dealt with.by the re« etiring president.