WINTER FARM WORK.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 352, 21 August 1930, Page 1

WINTER FARM WORK.

TOPDRESSING PASTURES. Producing Feed For Cows. (By the Fields Division, Department of Agriculture). One of the greatest benefits that can be obtained from top-dressing is the production of early feed from the pastures. This will have the effect of either reducing the necessity for supplementary fodder crops, or else of increasing the carrying capacity and either of these is highly desirable. To bring about this early feed, top-dressing with superphosphate should be carried out at the earliest moment if this or another phosphate has not been applied earlier. Even on relatively late soils a July application of super will produce a certain amount of extra feed in August, provided weather conditions are at all sympathetic. It is obvious, of course, that grass will not grow if the weather conditions are dead against it; no manuring or treatment will make up for lack of growth or growing conditions. Generally speaking, however, phosphatic dressings should have been made much earlier, but circumstances may have prevented it. Sulphate of Ammonia.

The advantage of sulphate of ammonia as a producer of earlier feed is a well-established fact, but to get the full advantage of this manure the pastures must be in good order prior to the application of ammonia. Much disappointment has been occasioned in connection with the use of this fertiliser in that applications have been made to weak swards with the idea of building them up. In this ammonia is not as good as one of our phosphatic fertilisers, but once having got the pasture up to a fairly high state of production by the use of phosphates then sulphate of ammonia can be used to full advantage in producing early feed. The pasture that responds best is that where the rye content is good. A good mixture to apply now where pasture is in good heart is one of two parts super and one part sulphate of ammonia at the rate of 3cwt per acre. If the sward is not too brilliant the super should be used alone at the rate of 3cwt. Carrying Flush Growth. To produce feed following the flush period, that is from December onwards, an application of slag may now be made. Just when an application now will come into full swing will depend upon the weather, but slag used during the next two months should have the effect of carrying the flush growth on through the summer months. Besides slag, other medium acting manures such as basic super may be used. Harrowing. The harrowing of pastures is work that should be attended to at this time of the year. This should be carried out while the pasture plants, are more or less in their dormant stage, so that the first growth of spring will not be interfered with. This harrowing should be in the form of a surface cultivation and should be fairly severe. Just how much good harrowing does is hard to determine, but there is no doubt, from observational results, that the work is well worth carrying out. Of course it is necessary to harrow periodically to scatter the droppings, so that the full use may be made of this valuable fertilising matter and the pasture kept in an even condition, but the harrowing at this per-

iod of the year, while the grass is dormant, must be looked upon as cultivation; to aerate the soil and to tear out useless plants and dead herbage and to generally liven up the turf. Feeding Ensilage and Hay. The feeding of ensilage and hay will now be in full swing, and care should be taken to see that the poaching up of the ground by the stock is not too severe. A certain amount of tearing about with the hoof is highly beneficial, but it can be overdone. Advantage should be taken of feeding out to consolidate areas affected by the grass grub. In the case of feeding hay there is the additional advantage of seed being introduced with the fodder, and if the hay is composed of good grasses and well ripened the introduction of new seed is no small item. From now on dairy cows should be treated fairly liberally in the matter of supplementary feed, for it must be recognised that there is practically no growth on the pastures, and any pasture roughage left from the season just past is low in feeding value. Cases can be instanced every year where farmers economise with their hay and ensilage at this time of the season to the detriment of their stock and to the next season’s production. Such economy is false, and as a rule there is ample over when the grass is well away in the spring. With our topdressing nowadays and our usual ample supply of ensilage, there is relatively little danger of being “ caught napping ” in the spring. Control of Ragwort. The control of ragwort by spraying has been given much prominence of late, and now is the time to make provision for the onslaught for the coming season. The material is not yet available, although the pumps are, and farmers would be advised to order the sodium chlorate now, as there is a danger that they may be “ left lamenting.” The strength to use is a 3 per cent solution, that is, 31b of sodium chlorate to 1001 b or 10 gallons of water. To bring this down to a farmer’s measure would mean lib of sodium chlorate to a benzine tin of water about two inches from the top. This solution is just , sprayed on to the plants. Full details can be obtained from the Department of Agriculture. Spring Cleaning.

August is a good month to do a little “ spring cleaning ” round the sheds and yards. A little paint and oil on implements preserves them and facilitates working when the time comes; a white-washing of the shed will brighten up the interior and make conditions better for the production of high-class quality; the drains and watertables cleaned now will save trouble in the spring; while general plant such as milk cans, buckets, etc., can be over-hauled and replacements made.