FARM RESEARCH

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21218, 14 September 1940, Page 9

FARM RESEARCH

WORK AT RUAKURA PROGRESS OF EXPERIMENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS Progress in the various branches of experimental work at the Ruakura Animal Research Station was inspected by the Ruakura Farm Advisory Committee yesterday, when it met at the farm. Yesterday the committee saw the farm at its best. Pastures and stock reflected the favourable nature oi j the conditions this spring. During the morning the committee was shown the new shelter belts which were planted to. replace old belts which had lost their effectiveness as far as shelter was concerned. No fewer than 3100 trees have been planted at the farm this year under the supervision of the farm manager, Mr T. E. Rodda. An extensive area, where it is intended to grow roots for pig feeding, was also inspected. The superintendent, Mr P. W. Smallfield, explained that next winter it was intended to turn the pigs on to the roots and feed them off in breaks. Bull Testing Service Details of a new bull testing service were discussed at the meeting in the afternoon. It was explained that an examination service would be made available to farmers. If for any reason a farmer wanted advice concerning the breeding efficiency of his bull, he would be invited to consult the veterinarian or stock inspector in his district, who woulrj. make arrangements to have the examination carried out. At the previous meeting of the committee, Mr T. A. Blake, who is in charge of the particular work at the farm, outlined the satisfactory progress that had been made in regard to bull fertility work. Those present at the meeting were Mr P. W. Smallfield (farm superintendent), Dr. J. F. Filmer (actingdirector, Animal Research Division), Messrs G. T. Crawley, J. M. Smith (fields superintendent), E. Zeisler, Dr. H. E. Annett, Messrs T. E. Rodda (farm manager), W. L. Ranstead, E. F. Peacocke, H. J. Finlayson, and C. E. Ballinger (secretary).