GRAZING OF LUCERNE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 28 March 1913, Page 6

GRAZING OF LUCERNE.

EXPERIMENTS AT MOUMAIfAKi EX I' IvKLVI EXTAL F Alt .VI. In the brief liistory of lucerne-cul-tivation in this country the grazing of it has not yet been tested. Now, however, an experiment is being conducted at Moiunahaki Experimental Farm to determine the bast means of grazing an established held by both cattle and sheep. The field where the trial is being made has been in lucerne for two years and a quarter, and the plant is there thoroughly well established. After the first cutting of this season i>2o head of sheep (ewes and lambs) were turned in on the 7 acres. At this time the lucerne wa.s 18in. in height—'rather high for feeding off, the wet weather which prevailed having made it necessary to postpone "the stocking. The shoe]), not being accustomed to the rich feeding, were not kept continuously on the lucerne for tho first few days. They were taken off after two hours' feeding the firstday. on the second day they had four hours' grazing, and on the third day they wero allowed to remain in the field. Tho sheep rapidly improved in condition, and on the tenth day, the lucerne being eaten down to a safe height, about 2in. above tho crown, the sheep were taken, off. After seven days, the lucerne having •sulneicnt'iy recovered, 300 lamb-?, just weaned, wero turned on, and remained for a period of seven days, being taken off after a few hours' feeding for the first few days, a« with the first lot. Tho lambs were followed by 200 ewes, which remained on the lucerne for seven days, as with the first lot. The field remained without sheep for seven days ami 260 were returned and depastured for another week. After this seven young hulls wero turned on, and remained for ten days. The field was then closed up. As far as tho eye could see, there was no deleterious effect, unon the plant, which is growing as vigorously as before. Tho seven acres aio now being sub-divided, and experiment'- to test tho gain in weight in fattening will bo carried out.