GRASS ENSILAGE.

Shannon News, 30 November 1928, Page 2

GRASS ENSILAGE.

WITH MODERN EQUIPMENT. The specialist officers of the Agricultural Department have far some time emphasised the value of the prac-. tice of ensilage making as a means of properly managing pastures and especially the means of getting the fullest possible returns when fertilisers have been used on grass land. The advice by these departmental officers'has been based mainly on their experience, in dairying districts outside the Manawatu, therefore special interest at.-' laches to the work started yesterday on the farm / of Messrs Moynihan Bros, East Road." Here ensilage is now being made by the use of the modern labour saving equipment—ensilagesweeps and a stack builder—the s.ort yi-eeommended by the Departmental officers. Practical farmers with any experience, of ensilage, know that labour is the bugbear of the practice, and therefore it is of special significance to know that Messrs MoynihaiUs ensilage is being saved at the rate of an

acre to two working hourss of three men and a bov. In view of the fact that work can be carried out practically irrespective of weather conditions, the above labour requirements seem not at all out of the way. Another point of moment to dairy farmers.is that in ordinary circumstances only a short day’s labour Is cplled for. This means that the ordinaryroutine operations, such as milking, can. be carried on and ensilage also attended to between milking, without at all interfering with, the efficiency of the ensilage* making. The main reasons why ensilage is being recommended are: (1) To provide a supply of food which would prove equally valuable for use as a succulent autumn forage or las a. substitute for crops, such as mangolds or swedes, for use in winter or early, spring. The point of importance is that this forage is provided without cost of ploughing, or related operations; (2) To properly keep pastures- short and avoid them running to seed during the flush growth of November ana December, a diffi.cully which is especially acute on .those, farms which are "most efficiently managed. Yesterday the work was being supervised . by. twe departmental officers, .Mr It. P. Connell, Fields Instructor; and .Mr T. Lonsdale, formerly manager of the Moumahaki State Farm. It is the intention of the Department to hold a field day on Messrs Moynihan’s farm on a day to be appointed next week, which fanners will lie invited to attend.