The Value of Animal Research to the Farmer

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 81, Issue 3, 15 September 1950, Page 195

The Value of Animal Research to the Farmer

THIRTEEN years ago a noted British authority on farm animals visited New Zealand to advise on the organisation of animal research. This visit arose from a growing appreciation by farmers of the need for intensive study of all aspects of animal production. Ideas finally crystallised in the establishment of the Animal

Research Division by the Department of Agriculture. War hindered the early life of the new Division, but the tempo of developmental work has increased markedly in post-war years. Today New Zealand has a well-organised animal research service which I believe compares more than favourably with similar services in other countries. The calibre of its research officers and the quality of their work have become not only more readily appreciated by our own farming community each year, but have also attracted worldwide attention. Animal Disease Problems Research activities are broadly divided into two main types handled at two main centres. Thus all phases of animal disease are the responsibility of the Wallaceville Research Station. Here a team of highly trained specialists not only handle the day-to-day diagnostic problems of the field veterinarians, but each year add an imposing body of new knowledge to the field of animal health. The maintenance of animal health is basic to efficient production. Wallaceville’s work on the control of contagious abortion with Strain 19 vaccine, of peat scours by copper in trace amounts, and of blood poisoning in sheep by vaccination with black-leg vaccine illustrates the way in which the husbandry methods of most farmers have been influenced with outstanding benefits during recent years. Rapid and efficient diagnosis of the cause of animal losses provides a daily service to veterinarians and farmers throughout the country. Animal Production Problems The second broad subdivision of activities is the responsibility of the Ruakura Research Station. Here a large number of workers concentrate upon problems of animal improvement through breeding, feeding, and management. Though not so spectacular in their measurable effects upon farm economy, the improvements in general care and management of farm stock resulting from careful research at Ruakura have been shown to be capable of effecting tremendous increases in productive efficiency. Recent advances in methods of rotational grazing of calves, of nutrition of dairy cows through controlled grazing management, and of milking methods can be applied immediately with beneficial results by the dairy industry. Studies of ewe nutrition and of fat-lamb production have likewise pointed the way to increased efficiency of the fat-lamb farmer. These methods are being applied by many progressive farmers and I am certain that all farmers can benefit by keeping in close touch , with this class of research work.

A National Coverage

In these two Stations the objective has been to build >up an organisation capable of handling any major problem of animal production. Concentration on only two main stations has been essential. Research equipment and facilities are expensive and competent research personnel are in short supply. The establishment of district stations throughout New Zealand could only result in inefficiency, even if the country could afford the cost of unnecessary duplication. It is sometimes claimed that work done at Ruakura is not applicable to farms in Southland or Hawkes Bay, but those making such criticisms forget that work at Ruakura is not really strictly applicable to any other farm, even in the Waikato. In the end every farmer must work out his own method of applying the results of research. As long as the work of the Animal Research Division is concentrated on elucidating the basic principles of animal production its findings will be capable of application by any farmer no matter where he may be. It is for this reason that the contributions of the Animal Research Division are being so closely watched and followed by overseas farming countries. Localised and District Problems ; : While the Division has been thus organised to handle all basic problems of animal disease and husbandry, a mechanism has been developed for handling important local problems found only in more or less restricted districts or on specialised soil types. Small specialist research “outposts” are established as and when required. An example is research into facial eczema of sheep. As this disease cannot be studied when it does not occur, the Manutuke Research Station has been established to meet the position. All the field work is done here in a district where facial eczema occurs regularly. The basic pathological and chemical work only is carried out at Wallaceville and Ruakura, where there are the necessary specialists. The Ruakura Hill Country Research Station is a further example. The problems of hill-country sheep and cattle production can hardly be examined on good lowland country. The recent purchase of a badly deteriorated hillcountry property at Whatawhata will cover a long-neglected field of animal production in New Zealand. Ultimately the welfare of the lowland fattening areas depends upon the hillcountry breeding areas. I believe that this new development promises to be of great importance to New Zealand agriculture. Extension of Research Research is of little value to the farmer unless it is taken to him and applied by him. The research men of the Division have little time or opportunity to pass on their important contributions direct to the farmer. This is done mainly through the extension services of the Department. Officers of the Livestock Division and Extension Division keep in close touch with all animal research work and in consequence can supply farmers with the latest information on any phase. Direct connection between the farmer and the research worker, however, is possible on a limited basis. The Ruakura farmers’ week and the field days at both Stations provide an opportunity for free and open discussion of problems. Arrangements have also been made to provide films of the more important phases of the work.

—K. J. HOLYOAKE,

Minister of Agriculture.