AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25086, 18 January 1947, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

STATION FOR OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND

EfUNEDIN, January 16. Plans for the establishment of a research station to serve Otago and Southland were announced to-day by the field superintendent of the Department of Agriculture (Mr A. G. Elliott). This development, one of the most important in the farming history of Otago and Southland, will bring together the greatest number of trained personnel ever assembled in the area, and. will involve a large expenditure for its establishment and maintenance. A suitable area of land has still to be obtained. Cabinet approval for the establishment of the station has already been obtained, and when it is completely established, it will be under the control of the superintendent, who ’ will be assisted by a farm advisory committee, which will be appointed later, and a staff of technical officers who will deal with all problems of pasture production, fodder production, the growing of sptecial crops, fertiliser matters, and problems of soil deficiencies. Investigations will also be carried out relating to animal diseases, in which officers of the associated divisions of live stock and animal research will collaborate. In addition, the collaboration of officers of the grasslands, agronomy, plant diseases, soil survey, and entomology divisions of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research will be ensured, probably by the seconding of members to the station staff.

Where problems of a district nature arise, they will be investigated by the establishment of small out-stations. Investigations into dairy problems will be carried out, either in the central station or in conjunction with a dairy factory as an out-station.