SUCCULENT FEED FOR HEAVY MILKING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 170, 8 October 1927, Page 29 (Supplement)

SUCCULENT FEED FOR HEAVY MILKING

VALUE OF SILAGE Numerous scientific trials and common farm experience have abundantly demonstrated the value of succulent feeds added to the rations of farm animals. The beneficial effects of succulence, whether supplied as pasturage, soilage, silage, or roots, are many. The most should be made of pastures, as they are the cheapest and best ; form of succulent food. Therefore their growing period should be strengthened and lengthened as much as possible. A perfectly fertile soil is one that contains sufficient available plant foods, such as phosphates, potash, and nitrogen, as well as lime, and will carry a thick sward of grasses, clovers, and other pasture plants throughout the period of the year when moisture is available in the soil, and also provide succulent food for cows if it is handled and managed correctly. Under conditions where minerals —particularly phosphates and lime—are deficient, plants that suit the conditions must necessarily be developed, and the mineral requirements gradually added in the way of fertilisers. The need for liberal applications of phosphates cannot be too strongly advocated, particularly when it is remembered that minerals such as are contained in growing grass, are more easily assimilated by the digestive system of animals than in other forms. PADDOCK MANAGEMENT To secure the best management of pastures they should be divided into five or six even-sized --fields, each of which should be grazed consecutively by the milkers for four or five days, followed by the dry and young stock,, or by a few horses or sheep to clean up the roughest parts of the pastures. Each field should be well harrowed with a sharp-toothed implement to spread the dung and allow air into the surface layers of the soil. This will also obviate the growth of rank patches. By so grazing the milking herd a continuance of young, fresh herbage will be assured. Under such a system also the best results can be secured from pastures while they are grown. So soon as they dry off recourse must be made to other succulents to maintain the milk flow. For this purpose summer fodders or silage should be provided. Maize is a comparatively cheap

summer crop and fairly reliable, but it makes only one growth and does not give a continuous supply of green feed. Lucerne is undoubtedly the most valuable summer dairy succulent, and more attention should be given to its culture. With lucerne-growing two conditions are essential—good winter drainage and no lack of lime or phosphates in the soil- Chou moellier, or narrowstemmed kale, is a very useful and fairly reliable fodder under favourable conditions, but it entails a considerable amount of labour in growing and feeding. Silage is also another means of providing a succulent summer or winter food. Practically any green fodder can be made into silage,, but care must be observed with regard to the quality of the material ensiled. Rank, overgrown, or laid crops will not produce good-class silage. Oats, vetches or peas make first-quality silage, and a legume mixed with a cereal adds variety and quality. Thus 601 b of oats and 201 b of vetches should make a good mixture.