Mount Barker Research Station streamlined to deliver a better service

19/9/01
The Department of Agriculture's Mount Barker Research Station has been consolidated to deliver more relevant services and projects to landholders in the lower South-West, Agriculture Minister Kim Chance said today.
The plans reflect the changing agricultural practices in the region and the growing trend towards conducting on-farm research trials on private farms.
As a result, land that is now considered surplus to the department's future requirements will be sold.
While the 664ha main property at Mt Barker has been maintained, a 486ha site at nearby Manurup and another 238ha site to the west of the home block will be sold, along with a 20ha block near Denmark.
Mr Chance said the consolidation would not diminish the department's presence or activities in the area.
The Minister said the move would enable the department to have a greater focus on the needs of landholders over a much wider area.
"There has been a significant landuse transformation in the Plantagenet shire and surrounding districts in the last 10 years from livestock and crop production to tree plantations, vines and horticulture," he said.
"As a result, more on-farm trial sites have been established in recent years to broaden the research on soil types and environmental conditions in the region that are different to those at Mount Barker.
"In response to this situation, the department established mobile research teams based at Mount Barker to undertake more broad scale trials on farmers' properties in neighbouring areas, from Frankland in the west to Jerramungup in the east."
The trials at the Manurup block will be consolidated onto the home block, while there have been no trials undertaken at the Denmark block for some time.
"Research projects on sheep, plant breeding and pedigree seed production will continue at the research station's main block, which provides a well equipped base from which to service both on-farm and off-farm trial sites in the region," Mr Chance said.
"The department also plans to expand its on-farm trials to ensure a good representation of soil types. It is also examining the possibility of research activities at the Pardalup Prison Farm.
"These initiatives will ensure that landholders in the lower South-West receive the best support and technical information to maximise their production potential."
Mr Chance said there were no imminent changes planned for the department's other research stations. However, the department will continue to review the operation and effectiveness of its assets and activities.
Media contact: Mike Marren - 9213 6700