SHANNON FARMERS AT WERAROA.

Shannon News, 19 May 1922, Page 3

SHANNON FARMERS AT WERAROA.

A PROFITABLE VISIT. On Wednesday last some 35 local farmers left Shannon by motors to pay a visit to the Weraroa Central Development Farm, with a view of benefitting by the knowledge and experience of that institution, and in this they were not disappointed. Arriving rat the Farm about 11.30 a.m., they were met by the manager, Mr McCulloch, and invited to lunch. 'Afterwards the pasture land was examined, and the great advantage of permanent pasture was discussed and explained. One farmer remarked that, he ‘ had often thought he was putting down permanent pasture, but had not known until that, day that it was only temporary. The general opinion seemed to be that the average farmer knew very little about farming, but had to make a few visits to Weraroa before he realised it. One paddocjtv was shown the visitors that had been shut up for only four weeks, and- would now cut two and a-half tons of good hay per acre. The experimental grass plots were visited, and were a real eye-opener, the farmers stating that many of them had for years been working along wrong lines. After a iefreshing cup of tea, the party (ontinued on to the cow sheds and viewed a splendid herd of Holsteins, which had some good records to their credit, and also some Red Polls which were being built up into a herd on good sound lines. The farmers realised that they had not visited the> Farm often enough, and at different periods of the year, and considered that. Mr McCulloch was the right man in the right, place. They hoped to make further visits, and several were anxious to become members of the school classes if there were vacancies next year.

Mr Murray, in a few words, thanked the ladies for the very nice refreshments supplied, and also Mr McCulloch for his interest and courtesy. The Shannonites returned home enlightened on many points, and realising how much they had yet to learn.