INCREASED PRODUCTION.
HAWKE’S BAY EXPERIMENTS,
Realising the necessity of stimulating “increased production’’ in order to cope with “increasing taxation,” the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association co-oper-ated last year with the surrounding counties, with other public bodies, and with the Department of Agriculture in the formation of the Hawke’s Bay Farming Development Association.
The aim of the Hawke’s Bay Farming Development Association is to carry out such trials and demonstrations of crops and of methods which are deemed likely to make for greater development and .production in the particular districts in which the work is undertaken, and to collect data as to cost and returns under local conditions. As the executive is elected from the contributing bodies, it is hoped that the needs of special districts and soils will be kept in view, and that considerable local experience will be available to assist the Department of Agriculture in local development work.
In Southern Hawke’s Bay, around Waipukurau, Hatuma, etc., large areas of the pasture arc dominated by Fiorin, which, after the land has been broken up and again laid down in English grasses and clovers, soon gains possession.
It was proposed by the executive to ascertain if by the application of a top dressing the life of the better grasses could be prolonged. Twen-ty-eight acres were obtained at Waipukurau on the farm of Mr A. F. Cook. This area was subdivided and fenced, 14 acres being dressed with 309 lbs. per acre of a mixture of 112 lbs. Ephos, 141 lbs. Super, and 281hs. Dried Blood, and 28 lbs. Bonedust. The cost for manure was £1 4s 6d per acre at war prices. A sufficient number of sheep are grazed in each paddock simultaneously to keep the feed level. Between the dates of August 31st, 1917, and March 21st, 1918, the average number of sheep per acre carried on the top dressed area was 8 3-10 sheep, as against 6-25 sheep carried on the undressed area. After December 22nd the top dressed area was carrying 11 sheep per acre, and the undressed area 7.7 sheep per acre. On March 19th, 40 two-tooth wethers taken off the top dressed plot were sold by auction at 29s 8d per head. On April 25th there were 81 sheep per acre on the top dressed area, and 5 sheep per acre on the undressed area.
The grazing of these areas has been practically continuous since August, 1917. At the present time, the dressed area is carrying 7.1 sheep per acre, and the undressed area 4.4 sheep per acre. The questions to be answered by this trial are: —How long will the influence of the top dressing last? During that time how many more sheep has the dressed area carried than the undressed? Taking a 5 per cent, rental and adding to it the cost of the manure, what is the cost per head of grazing sheep on each area?
The executive, at the suggestion of the Waipawa County delegates, decided to lest the possibility of increasing (he carrying capacily of the lighter portions of the Uuataniwha plains by the cullivation of a percentage, of (ho land occupied lor Lucerne to provide (he additional feed in the dry season, and also a. percentage for the growing of roots or other winter forage crops to assist the pastures jhrongh Ihe win-' ter. About 38 acres were obtained, but as arrangements could not he made sufficiently early in the season to prepare the ground for Swedes, the executive decided upon putting the ploughed area into approximately 8 acres of Algerian oats, 8 acres of Dun oats, and 8 acres of White Russian barley. These were sown at the end of February, and are now carrying 181 dry ewes.
Two additional acres -have been sown on a plot one-eighth of an acre, and these two acres have been securely fenced. A subdivision fence has also been erected across the ploughed area now in winter feed, and a portion of this land has already been limed as a step towards establishing an area of Lucerne (about 5 acres) next season. A record.is to be kept showing the sheep grazed under this system on this area of 38 acres, and the cost per head of so doing. The objects aimed at by the Hawke’s Bay Farming Development. Association are greater development and production, and with these ends in view, suggestions were brought forward for the formation of a Seed Growers’ Association, with a view to the encouragement of the seed growing industry in Hawke’s
Bay, which is.admirably suited for the production of certain varieties. It was proposed to enter all crops nominated as seed crops in. a register, and to inspect same for pur-, ity and quality as the season progressed. To issue a certificate to the grower that the crop has been inspected, with comments thereon by the visiting inspector. To procure from time to lime seeds of higher standards, and to establish same within the district on the farms of Associated Seed Growers, The very possible shortage of seed supplies due to the war, and the ever increasing difficulty of obtaining pure varieties in time of peace, certainly suggests the need of the establishment of recognised bodies to ensure the growing and supply of sound seed true to type.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1848, 4 July 1918, Page 4
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881INCREASED PRODUCTION. Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1848, 4 July 1918, Page 4
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