Range of displays on open day

Press, 10 April 1987, Page 13

Range of displays on open day

The people of Canterbury are invited to inspect the new Canterbury Agriculture and Science Centre this Sunday. The D.S.I.R. and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be providing a range of displays illustrating research under way on many aspects of science, agriculture and horticulture. A major attraction is also the free, service scientists are offering to identify weeds, pests and diseases for home gardeners and to help people find a way to control the particular bug or weed. One of the most interesting aspects of the research at Lincoln is the mixture of animal, plant, and soil research, which although aimed at improving primary production industries or assisting with the preservation of the environment, has in many cases a direct application to the people who live on a smaller section. This is because much of the food we buy or grow has been either developed by the scientists, such as new wheat or potato cultivars, or they have worked on the control of

pests and diseases, or researched new more efficient growing methods for the fruits or vegetables we eat. Even honey has researchers probing with their microscopes to analyse its pollen content to certify that it is pure white clover, or pure rata, so that the export markets know they are getting the correct thing.

Did you know that mere are different wheats for biscuits, crackers, bread, macaroni, and pastry? Samples of these will be available at a small cost. The plant breeder will also have small packets of seeds for home gardeners to try. If you are interested in computers, then try your luck at being a modern farmer, deciding when you will sow your wheat,

or what rain is likely to fall. The computer will then tell you what yield you are likely to get. That will all assist you to “decide” if you are going to grow wheat this year. The staff cafeteria will be open and you might be tempted to taste some special bread rolls, lucerne sprouts, snack foods — all products which are linked in some way with the research.