FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1921, Page 8

FARM AND DAIRY.

preparing for a dry spell.

VALUE OF ENSILAGE.

A few warm rains would be very acceptable in this locality just at present in place of the continued winds we have been experiencing (writes our Urenui correspondent at the beginning of the week. The Wai-toi-toi stream is very low for this period of the year, and is a <»oo<l indication as to the dryness of the season, in fact, most of the creeks have been getting lower each year lately, and the opinion has been more than once expressed that we are in all probability likely to experience a dry spell. This is also borne out by Mr. Clement Wragge’s prediction of a drought, given some time ago. Recognising this, many farmers have expressed their intention of as much artificial food for the cows as possible. If the reverse should prove the ease, and an abundance of grass become general, no harm will he done, as anything above the immediate wants of the stock can easily be converted into hay or ensilage. Speaking of ensilage, it is interesting to note that Mr. A. H. Cockayne, who recently delivered a most exhaustive address on “The Feeding of Dairy Cows,” at the farmers’ farm school at Ruakura. remarks that until recently he, in common with many farmers, held the opinion that ensilage as a staple supplementary feed for dairy cows was too expensive to produce. On this point he has now quite an open mind, and the economies of ensilage production and lltilisaJtiori require to be carefully studied in (New Zealand before any definite decision can be given. In America, ensilage is the most important of all supplementary feeds for dairy cows, but. of course, conditions there are vastly different to those in New Zealand. He states that what does impress one with ensilage in America is the fact that silage is rapidly taking the place of green cut forage crops (soiling). The position adopted by the American farmer is that ensilage is always ready just when it is wanted, and no matter how skilful a farmer may be. his provision for forage, crops for soiling during the summer may come to nought through unfavorable weather conditions. His soiling crop may not be ready just when required, or if ready there may be an abundance of grass, and it is really not wanted. Mr. Cockayne gives it as. his opinion that if ensilage finally does not become important in dairy farm management ‘here, it will be as a summer supplementary food, and not as a winter food. In this connection it might he remarked that several farmers in this district have adopted this system, and have found it to work admirably. There is no question about the value of properly cured ensilage as a milk producer, ind' although some argue that there is too much waste incurred when built in ! stacks, it is open to question if this is correct., as it Ims been proved that any portion that is unfit for consumption by •stock has a manorial value far beyond 1 artificial fertilisers, and by its use a more than average crop of potatoes or mangolds can safely be reckoned upon.