RUAKURA FARM

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 108, 3 November 1937, Page 22

RUAKURA FARM

A RESEARCH STATION

WORK ON LIVESTOCK

CATTLE AND PIGS

The plans for the. development of research and instructional work at Ruakura Farm of Instruction were outlined by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin), in an interview recently. Tbe Minister stated that, it was intended that Ruakura should play an important part in the Government's programme of systematic agricultural research, and the farm was now equipped to carry out research work for the northern part of the North Island, just as Massey College, the Plant Research Station, and the Dairy Research Institute served the.southern part of the island. Definite spheres of work had already been allocated to Massey and Canterbury Agricultural Colleges, Cawthron Institute, the Plant Research Stations at Palmerston North and Lincoln, the Wheat Research Institute, the Wallaceville Veterinary Laboratory, and other research laboratories; the work of all institutions was being co-ordin-ated by the Plan and' Animal Research Bureaux. '"-.--7 /, .-. Mr. Lee Martin said that Ruakura was established as an experimental farm in 1901, and in its early years, when oats were an important crop in the Waikato, did valuable work in the collection and selection of rust resistant varieties. Current work at Ruakura in grain crops was confined to investigating the possibility of producing economic pig feed, and maize, varieties, field peas and soya beans are at present under triaL Extensive investigations had been carried out on the introduction of suitable varieties of root and forage crops for Wai-, kato farming and*'in development' and management. \ iTrials laid down with slag, super, and other phosphates had been inspected by, numerous Waikato farmers and had [ given a splehdi demonstration of the usefulness of top-dressing, which; was now a regular practice in the province. Experimental work was in progress to determine the fertiliser response on aifferent soil types,/ and a complete programme had been instituted by the Department of Agriculture to collect information regarding the use of lime and potash in addition to, phosphates on each soil type: Ruakura was also used to demonstrate the 7 usefulness under Waikato conditions of improved strains of grasses and clovers prodiiced by the Plant Reseajrehv Station at PalmerstonNorth. y '

On the dairy side, it was proposed, stated the Minister, to discontinue the sale of bulls, the demand for which was now being met by private breeders, and concentrate on one breed and the use of herds for investigational work of value to all farmers. Already work had been commenced on feed flavour, artificial insemination, and : sterility in bulls, and further researches were planned in dairy cow nutrition. ! . .'■■"'•'■:

| The rapid expansion of the pig industry necessitated further investigations, and the work in this connection at Ruakura was to be; extended. The production of boars and. sows :for sale would be abandoned and the whole of the pig section of the farm would be devoted to nutrition experiments. The problems allocated to Ruakura were sow nutrition,: litter feeding, .influence of feeding oh bacon- quality, and winter feeding of store.pigs,-The Department's extension officer-- in pig husbandry had been given headquarters at Ruakura and would serve as the chief link between research, work at Ruakura and the district pig councils all Qver New Zealand. .

In the near future, work would be carried but in demonstrating intensive fat^ lamb production in the Waikato, and a herd of; Polled Angus cows had recently been established at Ruakura to investigate the best feeding methods for the ~ production of chilled beef. During the past season excellent "chillers" had been produced on the farm.; '-.'■■■

The activities of the Ruakura Training Farm College were to be maintained, and in addition it was proposed to continue the short winter courses^ of a week or' a fortnight for farmers' sons and members of the Young Farmers' Clubs.

"Ragwort has become a serious pest On many areas of Auckland dairyinjg grassland; a far. more serious pest than in Otago and Southland, where it. is' fairly common in waste land, for there it has little or no winter growth and the preponderance of sheep, farming keeps it under control in pasture lands," said Mr. Lee Martin. ".The Government has. made systematic plans for 'its control; excellent work. has been done by county councils using labour material supplied by the Government, in clearing up ragwort •on waste land and helping indigent owners to clear their land. , Sodium chlorate has been used for the destruction of the weed, but experience has shown that under certain conditions of soil moisture and plant growth the destruction of the weed is not complete. To improve the technique of the common methods of eradication of this weed the Government has established, a ragwort committee comprising officers of the Department of Agriculture and Scientific and Industrial Research Department. Two full-time officers, one a botanist dealing with the life, history of the plant and its association [Published by.. Arrangement.] "COPOLITE" (Registered.) Cattle Medicine Mr. 7D. Callaghan, the patentee of the above popular, cattle medicine, has again resumed sole control of the manufacture, and sales at his home, 344 Featherston Street, Palmefston North. Copolite, as the hundreds of unsolicited testimonials will show, is excellent, for Dairy Cows, Pedigree Cattle, Sheep, Horses, Pigs, and Dogs. It is specially recommended in cases of milk fever, hard and inflamed quarters, mammitis; cleansing cows after calving, and generally toning-up the system. Here is a sample of the many testimonials from prominent farmers. Dear Sir, I used "Copolite" all last season and have not found its equal for udder trouble and cleaning cows at calving time. It is an easily administered drench, safe and quick in action, giving immediate relief; I consider it a remedy for milk fever as I have never had a case of fever since "Copolite" was administered before calving. I would not be without it in my shed. Please repeat my last order for a dozen bottles. Yours faithfully, (Signed) F. S. Mcßae, Napier Road, PaJmers'ton North. This Magic Medicine is put up in one dose bottles ready- to use, and also in a concentrated form. If unable to procure in your district write the manufacturer direct.