HEAVY HAY CROPS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20116, 9 December 1939, Page 15

HEAVY HAY CROPS

MAKING UP LEEWAY HIGHER DAIRY OUTPUT FEWER COWS MILKED NEW SEED HARVESTER Since the break in the spell of fine weather experienced early this season, ‘he weather has been almost ideal in the Gisborne district for dairying, there having been sufficient rain for immediate requirements and at the same time enough tine weathoi for held operations. With such a season, the dairy production of the district should have had the opportunity of recovering completely from the setback given by the drought conditions last season. A partial recovery has been staged since th; breaking of the dry spell early in the spring, but the quantity of butterfat supplied to the dairy ‘actories, although above those of the past season, has not yet reached the total of two years ago up to the corresponding period. Early in the season dairy production came on even more slowly than last year, but with the improved conditions a rapid improvement occurred, and last month the output of butter was approximately 10 per cent better than in November last year, while for the season to date the improvement is about 7 or 8 per cent. Larger Areas in Crop. The reason why the total output is not higher is that fewer cows are being milked. Larger areas have been made available for cropping on many farms, and as a result some of the cows have had to be discarded. Greater effort is being made on most farms in the district in the

nature of harvesting for hay. Hay requirements during the past two winters completely outstripped the available district supplies, and as a result of the poor growth during the early part of last summer little hay was harvested in the district. This year, however, an effort 'is being made to save larger quantities for reserve supplies in the event of the demand being particularly heavy again next winter. In a number of instances, farmers have arranged to take second crops from their hay paddocks.

The hay crops this season are the heaviest for some years, most having a good clover bottom. The quality of the hay also appears to be particularly good, A few crops were caught in the wet weather about a fortnight ago, but beyond that the weather has been favourable for the most part, enabling quick progress to be made. A big season is in prospect for seed production, principally of perennial ryegrass. A good demand is expected this season, in view of the war-time conditions and also because of the low stocks of the past season’s seed on the market. New Seed Harvester.

A new harvesting machine for grass seed has made its appearance in the Gisborne district, and will be seen in operation this season for the first time. This is a header harvester, which picks the cut grass after ripening in the paddocks and threshes the seed as it moves along. This machine will save a great deal of time compared with the old system of cocking and stacking and threshing from a stationary mill, eliminating much handling and man-power. The machine is designed to cater for all types of seed, and is adjustable to cater for the various kinds required. It is tractor-driven, and on the average should be able to treat 14 or 15 acres a day. Large numbers of these machines are to be found in the South Island and also in the Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay, there being various types for the size and nature of the areas. The machine that will shortly make its appearance in the Gisborne district is one of the small varieties, but its efficiency is not impaired because of'that. Increase in Tractors. Gisborne district farmers are gradually becoming more mechanically minded, and a large variety of agricultural implements has made its appearance in the district of recent years, while the number of tractors for agricultural purposes has doubled in the past two years, it is estimated. A rough tally made during the week gave an estimate of 100 tractors for farm work in the Gisborne district at present. In hay harvesting operations, farmers are handicapped by an acute shortage of bailing wire. Practically none is available, and alternatives have been explored, such as the use of twine. Although twine is not as popular as wire, it has certain advantages over wire, such as that stray bits of wire left in a paddock are a source of annoyance at the next i harvest, while twine is a New Zealand product, and money spent on its purchase stays in the country.