A DEMONSTRATION FARM.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 145, 12 August 1926, Page 3

A DEMONSTRATION FARM.

TARANAKI PROGRESS. At the ninth annual meeting of the Stratford Demonstration Farm Society the following figures were quoted showing the butterfat per cow and per acre produced during the last seven years:—

The figures, it was explained, were for actual butterfat computed on the amount paid for. If the association test figures were taken, an average of about 201 b per cow more would be shown. During the past year there were eight home-bred two-year-old heifers in the herd. “ When the bad spring experienced last season is taken into consideration this must be considered satisfactory,” added the chairman. The chairman said that during the year under review. 14s 3d per acre had been spent on manures, but in the previous year 15s 6d had been expended. A certain amount of experimental work meant that the expenditure on fertilisers would be slightly more than would be the case under normal conditions. He thought, however, that no farmer should expend less than 15s an acre on manures, and the average dairyman should be able to afford £l. By doing this systematically the pastures would be gradually built up, ang then the expenditure would be lessened. On the experimental farm approximately 2cwt per acre a year was given to the pastures.

Butterfat Butterfat Year. per cow. per acre. 1920 . . 221.10 60.80 1921 274.27 8S.70 1922 . . 298.90 104.50 1923 . . 280.00 98.60 1924 . . 305.00 108.90 1925 . . 327.30 121.30 1926 . . 330.50 129.45