RESEARCH INTO IRRIGATION

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24914, 29 June 1946, Page 6

RESEARCH INTO IRRIGATION

STATION AT ASHBURTON PLANNED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON. June 28. “I have pleasure in announcing Cabinet approval of the establishment of an irrigation research and experimental station in the Ashburton trict,” said the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts) this evening. Mr Roberts s:id that the success or otherwise of irrigation development depended upon the degree of efficiency with which the farmer utilised water for the productivity of pastures, crops, and livestock. Farming under irrigation involved changes in farm practice and the prime purpose of the station was to demonstrate sound technical methods of utilisation. A property of about 700 acres, a few miles from Ashburton, has been secured, and it is intended to divide this irrto three inter-related sections. One area of about 150 acres will be operated as a fully-irrigated dsiry farm. A unit of 350 acres will be run as a mixed farm, involving fat lamb production, cash crops, and small seed production The third section will be a unit of about 200 seres; where fundamental research on irrigation farming uill be carried out.