SCIENTIFIC URGE ON FARMS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 142, 13 December 1933, Page 8

SCIENTIFIC URGE ON FARMS

At a time when British research into farm industries is proceeding with more activity than ever before, Sir George Julius is complaining that the lack of relatively small sums is preventing the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Council from concluding certain "highly promising investigations." He does not specify these, but an appended report on the Commonwealth research activities shows the Australian scientists are following up animal nutrition, including mineral deficiencies1 in soils (an old question in New Zealand); have decided that carbon dioxide is not the last word in chilled beef; and are looking for a blowfly parasite—a quest which may have to be pursued in South ArneMea-pE-^Asiar IMthft. fussfr-lwa

questi#is, if not in the last, New Zealand is keenly interested. Wool is "up," but victory will always be to ihe best wool, and few people deny that growers of crossbred could improve. Wool production is so dependent on sheep nutrition that in sulphur-deficient districts the Australian scientists report big increases in wool yield obtained by supplementary feeding. Though carbon dioxide prolongs the storage life of beef, initial contamination must first be avoided, and there is need for more care along the whole slaughtering and dressing chain. Does more care mean more expense? And what will be the mutual reaction of new farm science both in Britain and the Dominions?