TREATMENT OF PASTURES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1930, Page 1

TREATMENT OF PASTURES

HO NATIONAL OH A 551 NO. NELSON, August A. Important results obtained in the Cawtlmm Institute experiments connected with the manuring of pastures under the rotational system of grazing were announced to-day bv Mr T. Higg, assistant director and chief agriculturist to the institute. A complete manure consisting of superhosphate, sulphite of potash, and sulphate of ammonia has given the best results in maintaining both the yield and quality of the pasture. In the absence or putassie. manures ammonium sulphite has detrimentally affected the sward, the percentage of clovers being notably reduced. Suitable temperature amt moisture conditions influence greatly the rapidity'and magnitude ol the effect of ammonium sulphate application made in early August, and gave an increased produetio nof near'y 100 per i cent, during this month. During sep- j tember its effect on the yield was moiej marked, a daily production of nearly 1 221 b of dry matter per acre being ob- j tainecl, compared with lUlb on uu- j treated pastures. ; Taking the figure of. 2211 b ol dry in:.*- j ter to be the production require- j ment of an average dairy cow in milk, j it would appear that the application of, one cwt af ammonium sulphate per acre would provide an increased stocking of approximately one-third cow per acre for a period of at least six weeks. The chemical data show very definitely, that both the season and manorial treatment have a pronounced effect on t the chemical composition of the pasture, Phosphates, potash, and n.trogen have been readily taken up by pas-1 ture plants, so that the quantities of j these constituents are notably increased. Lime treatment of land has always given a higher percentage of desirable constituents in pasture grass under manuiial treatment than lias been tfio case on unlimed ground. On a number of pastures it has been found that the chemical composition is most suitable for growing or lariating animals in mid-spring and autumn. In the early spring the. amounts of certain minerals have been found to be somewhat low.

At the end of December, particularly during drought periods, the chemfcnr composition of pastures tends to he poor. lit certain poor pastures the amount of phosphate and protein has decreased almost 50 per cent. Experience has shown that stock on certain mikieral deficient pastures .suffered most from stock ailments at this time.