Irrigation study announced

Press, 17 March 1977, Page 3

Irrigation study announced

A research project to investigate the irrigation requirements of the better cropping soils in Canterbury was announced yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Maclntyre), when he opened the’ South Island Young Farmers’ Field Days at Tai Tapu. The investigation, which was being set up by his Ministry, would cover the irrigation requirements of a number of process crops, he said. A start had already been made with process peas and potatoes, in addition to the traditional wheat and barley crops. In addition to the usual irrigation equipment, he said that two plot irrigators had been designed for research and it was hoped to have four of these working in co-operative programmes at the Winchmore and Templeton research stations in the next irrigation season.

“There is no doubt in my Diind that a properly designed and used irrigation scheme is a national asset and is a positive way to gain the kind of increases in production that are so vitally needed,” said Mr Maclntyre. “The potential which could be achieved in all years of irrigation was available to all Canterbury fanners is a proposition which I shall ensure is kept to the attention of my Cabinet md caucus colleagues,” he added.

Seventy-four loans have been approved to young farmers under the Government’s special settlement loan schema, Mr Maclntyre said.

Under the scheme up to 85 per cent of the price of a farm will be lent to young farmers. Mr Maclntyre said that 5t loans had been approved for dairy farmers and 23 for sheep farmers. The average loan for a dairy fanner had been $87,500 and for a sheep fanner $131,200. The scheme had so far cost nearly $7.5M.