SEED PRODUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21206, 31 August 1940, Page 19 (Supplement)

SEED PRODUCTION

SCOPE FOR INCREASE SUPPLIES FROM DOMINION There is considerable scope for an increase in the areas of the various grass and clover seeds harvested in New Zealand not only for use within New Zealand but also for export. Due to war conditions, British supplies of seed which were previously obtained from the Continent of Europe have now been cut off. Accordingly it is the duty of New Zealand farmers to supply quantities ol seed for the British market.

Especially is there a need for seed certified under the scheme of the Department of Agriculture. Actually, despite the Well recognised superior value of the swards resulting from the use of certified seed, on a substantial part of the acreage annually sown to “permanent” pastures, seed of the poor or uncertain type ineligible for certification is used. Farmers with areas eligible under the certification schemes should therefore make every endeavour to shut up as big an area as possible for seed production this season. The main species calling for attention are perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, white clover and red clover. Ryegrass Most Important Perennial ryegrass is the most important of the grass seeds harvested in New Zealand. During the winter, pastures to be utilised for production of this seed should be only lightly grazed if in the North Island, or not grazed at all if in the South Island. In the spring stocking should be increased. Prior to closing, the area should be evenly grazed. Chain-harrowing and topdressing, if not recently done, should

follow the final stocking. The paddock should be closed to stock usually by the end of October. For seed production cocksfoot should not receive severe grazing at any stage and should not be grazed with sheep • except possibly for a short period in the autumn. The aim should be to protect the crown of the plant. Grazing should be in large numbers for a short time, rather than small numbers for a long time.

White Clover Seed White clover seed production is often treated as a secondary consideration. Where it is properly regarded as a special crop, it is grazed much later and more heavily than other seed crops. Actually, the heavier grazing is carried out to increase the proportion of the lightloving clover plants in relation to that of the more strongly growing grasses. The area is not closed till the early autumn: —late January or February—after *an even grazing, the aim being to get as much flower as possible. Red clover of the two types, Broad Red and Montgomery Red, is not harvested till April. For Broad Red clover it is a common practice to cut an early hay crop and immediately to close the area for harvesting three months later in April. Montgomery Red clover may be grazed till mid or late November and then closed to stock. Other important grasses for seed production are brown top, chewings fescue, crested dogstail, and Italian ryegrass. Other important clovers for seed production are Lotus Major, Strawberry clover, and Subterranean clover. Strawberry clover seed is difficult to harvest but is worth the effort on suitable areas. Subterranean clover seed production is in its infancy in New Zealand, but there is scope for the harvesting of a considerable area, Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough districts providing good conditions for this purpose.