On the Land

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 962, 3 May 1930, Page 31

On the Land

“Pedigree” Grasses

Expert’s Interesting Theory

Dr. Cockayne asserts that one of thh biggest factocrs in the future development of farming within the Dominion will be the attention given to the actual strain of the pasture grasses. In other words, he maintains that pedigree is just as essential in pasture grasses as it is in cattle if the best results are to be obtained. Investigation ie already being carried out along tlips line in New Zealand at the Government's Research Plant Station. It l*as been shown there quite clearly that the running out of pastures is due very largely to the types sown being of a bad or nonpermanent cliaractctr and that, when leafy persistent lyes are used, all those methods of modern management leading to higher production are rendered more efficient and economical. So far as perennial ryegrass if* concerned, the work is well advanced and other grasses and clovers are being brought under study. The pedigree grass, capable of maximum returns under hard stocking conditions, contemplated by what has been termed rotatitinal grazing, is really as essential as pedigree stock if anything like full utilisation of grass growth is to be realised, states Dr. Cockayne. Recognition of this fact, and the application of that recognition, is destined to play an even

AN interesting, and at the same time arresting, conclusion is arrived at by Dr. A. 11. Cockayne, the well-known grassland expert, in an article in the April issue ol: the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture.

more important role in New Zealand grassland management than any of the milestones which have been passed in the history of the Dominion’s farming operations. Failure to establish high-class permanent pasture, even on first-class land after the land has been ploughed, has been all too common in New Zealand and has led to the idea that it is generally better to improve existing grassland by liberal management than by renewal. This idea has been perfectly sound where the seed mixtures used, although permanent in name, have been or are temporary in effect. •So soon, however, as reliability can be given to the strain and real leafy permanence to the seed, very large areas of present permanent established pasture of inferior composition will be renewed, with astonishing results as far as production economy is concerned. Improvement in grass and clover strain and improvement in stock attuned to grassland management conditions —all of which are being rapidly developed and applied—make it clear that grassland products will enormously increase in the near future and the estimate of a doubling of our production within a very short time is likely to become a reality, states Dr. Cockayne.