Expansion In Soya Bean Sowing Planned

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29910, 25 August 1962, Page 7

Expansion In Soya Bean Sowing Planned

Plans for the extension of experimental sowings of soya beans in Canterbury this spring were announced in Christchurch this week. A committee comprising representatives of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lincoln College, Federated Farmers and industry has been set up to co-ordinate and facilitate the sowings, and Fletcher Industries, Ltd., are importing seed, which, together with seed saved from sowings last season, will be distributed to growers through farm advisory officers of the Department of Agriculture.

On the basis of observations of the crop last season. Fletchers have decided to nelo further experimental growing of the crop and it has a licence to import slightly more than a ton of seed. This will comprise 20Wlb of Chippewa, a variety of American origin, and 6TOlb of Comet, a variety of Canadian origin. These two varieties are early maturing and it was found last season that they could be grown and harvested under Canterbury conditions In addition to the imported seed there will be about 11001 b of dressed seed last season for sowing this year. This comprises about 6001 b of Chippewa and 5001 b of Comet. This year's sowings will be aimed at determining what further areas are suitable for growing the crop and to build up stocks of seed of the two varieties

Recently the Department of Agriculture sponsored a meeting of farmers in the Lincoln, Tai Tapu. Yaldhurst. Harewood, Woodend and Amberley districts who grew soya beans last season. As well as department officers it was also attended by Dr I. D Blair, of Lincoln College. Mr W. N. Dunlop, representing Federated Farmers,* and Mr B. F. Lee, a Spreydon poultry farmer, who imported most of the seed that was sown last season. Tn spite of drought conditions last season, a delayed strike of weeds, general failure of inoculation, and low yields, growers were favourably Impressed with the potential of the crop and a number of those present expressed a wish to grow more this season. In view of this interest, it was decided that the time was appropriate to set up the committee, which consists of Messrs A. R. Dingwall, W. F. Leonard and D J. G Davies, of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. I. D. Blair, of Lincoln College, Mr T. P Palmer, of the Crop Research Division of the D.SJ.R.. Mr Lee, Mr W. Millist, a farmer, of Woodend. and Mr A. J. D Robb, of Fletcher Industries, Ltd. This committee met this week for the first time. As well as sowings of the

The present intention is to make sowings at 24 sites in all parts of the province and at two sites in Otago As far as possible the sites will range from the foothills to the coast and will be mainly on soils of light to medium fertility The bean is a legume and as a builder of fertility as well as a cash crop it is considered that it might fit well into the rotation with wheat on medium fertility soils.

two varieties mentioned, variety trials will be continued throughout the district in the coming season with the idea of locating improved varieties for local conditions. Some of these may give higher yields than Chippewa or Comet, but may be later maturing. The committee is particularly interested in establishing crops for seed production with a high oil-bearing content. Weed control trials will also be carried out. While in at least one case there will be a direct comparison between planting in rows and solid sowing, the majority of growers next season will be recommended to sow in rows in the light of last season’s experience. The importation and testing of new varieties of soya beans will be conducted by the Crop Research Division, and Lincoln College with Biological Laboratories, Ltd., of Auckland will be further investigating inoculation of seed. Fletcher Industries, which have a factory for extraction of oil from linseed in Dunedin. are believed to be interested in the possibilities of extraction of oil from the

beans. The plant used for linseed oil extraction is believed to be also ideally suited for processing soya beans for oil and meal. Mr Lee, the poultry farmer, is also interested in the use of the meal for poultry food. The soya bean has an impressive range of uses from food for humans and livestock to many industrial purposes. The oil from the bean, due to its high iodine number, is classed among the semi drying oils and is used extensively for paints and varnishes. It is also used for soap making, candles, celluloid, printing ink, adhesives, rubber substitutes, and cosmetics. The refined oil is also used in the manufacture of margarine and lard and the bean can also be used for flour and breakfast foods and the meal also has a role in the plastics industry in motor car bodies and car parts. A fibre resembling scoured wool has also been made from soya bean protein. Soya beans can also be used as vegetables and in the coming season the honticul-

tural division of the Department of Agriculture will be doing trials with beans as a vegetable crop and also as a green manure and a forage A quantity of seed of a later maturing variety called Harosey held over from last season will be used for this purpose.