POSSIBILITIES OF “SUPER”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5443, 3 July 1929, Page 4

POSSIBILITIES OF “SUPER”

USE OF HEAVIER DRESSINGS.

INCREASING YIELD PER ACRE. It is now well recognised, that closelygrazed, nutritious sward, plentifully supplied with minerals, is sought after by dairy cattle in preference to pastures not so well supplied. Now the question | arises as to what extent our pastures | are capable of profitably responding to larger, and more frequent dressings of i minerals than are at present given. I Take, for instance, the case of super" phosphate. We know that a dressing of 2 cwt. per acre will give a good response. We have yet to find the effects of three dressings of 2 cwt. each, or one dressing of 6 cwt. per acre, either alone or combined with other fertilisers. MORE NUTRITIOUS FEED. Most of our experiments so far have been with small amounts per acre with visible results in an increase in pasture growth. We have now a new criterion, i.e., the production of buttor-fat per acre. This may be greatly increased by the pasture plants not producing so much extra growth, but having a higher percentage of mineral matter in the herbage. Among this mineral matter, phosphates will always be of importance, but others have to be considered also. Calcium is becoming the focus of much attention because, when present in sufficient quantities, it helps the cows to assimilate and use phosphates. It also acts as a safeguard. against diseases. CALCIUM FREE OF COST. Another chemical of importance in both plants and animals is sulphur. This is absorbed in the form of. sulphates, and it is remarkable that the first artificial fertiliser manufactured — superphosphate—contains not only watersoluble phosphates, but also much calcium and sulphur. Superphosphate is sold on the basis of its phosphate content, but, in addition, the farmer receives, free of cost, much valuable gypsum or calcium sulphate. It now seems that much of the value of superphosphate is due to the presence of this gypsum in its composition. ONLY BEGINNING TO BE REALISED. With a basis of superphosphate, the dairy farmer can exploit the possibilities of his pastures for obtaining a rapid return for his investment, and test to what extent an adequate supply of minerals will profitably raise the per eow and per acre production. In this direction the possibilities of increasing production from pastures by the use of larger quantities of superphosphate are only beginning to be realised.