RESEARCH INTO STOCK HEALTH

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27368, 5 June 1954, Page 8

RESEARCH INTO STOCK HEALTH

GOVERNMENT ASKED TO FIND MONEY FARMERS’ PROPOSAL

The anriual conference of the North Canterbury provincial district of Federated Farmers yesterday endorsed a recommendation of its Cust-West Eyreton branch that the Government be asked to make funds available to the Department of Agriculture and veterinary clubs for research on stock health in relation to pasture improvement and top-dressing. The conference rejected a recommendation of the Fernside branch that pool funds held by the Meat and Dairy Boards should be used for this type of research.

Speaking in support of the CustWest Eyreton branch’s proposal, Mr W. Fleming said that with all the pedigree grasses and clovers on the modern farm sheep did not seem to be doing as well as on the older type of pastures. There was room, he said, for research into stock health. Most of the discussion hinged on where funds for this work should come from and to whom the money should go. Mr L. S. Carpenter said that there was no better way in which pool funds could be utilised. He understood that alreadv representatives of the boards controlling them had intimated that they would consider favourably suggestions that the moneys be used for such a purpose. The scope of the proposal was, however, not wide enough. Agricultural colleges and some other organisations could possibly also benefit from some financial assistance. Mr S. Scott suggested that to avoid overlapping the funds should be given to the Department of Agriculture to allocate where necessary. Mr G. H. Blair said he believed that the Fernside branch was right when it recommended that the farming community should finance the research itself. “We have got to the stage where the farmer has got to look seriously at asking the Government for funds,’’ he said. Mr Blair said it was his view that the bulk of the money should go to the agricultural colleges with their “very realistic approach.” Mr J. J. Hughey said he would not like to see the veterinary services left out.

He could see no harm in the Government being called on for .funds for this purpose, said another speaker. If the Government provided the money its revenue from tavation would increase. |