12 December 1984 Project to investigate tractor economy is funded

How farmers can use their tractors more economically is being examined in a project being run jointly by the New Zealand Agricultural Engineering Institute, Massey University and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The Ministry of Energy and the New Zealand Energy Research and Development Committee have each provided about $21,000 towards the $73,000 cost of the project.

Lincoln College Council was told of the research contract, worth almost $42,000, in a report from the college research committee at today's meeting.

Farmers are being told at field days for small discussion groups of ways of using tractors more economically.

And their attitudes to the advice given is being assessed.

A seminar for MAP agricultural engineering advisory officers to improve their knowledge of tractor economy has been held as part of the project.

The first phase of the project should be completed by autumn and results will then be assessed.

The field days for farmers have been limited to small groups to encourage freer discussion and give each farmer an opportunity to drive a tractor.

Three of the eleven field days have already been held : one in Canterbury and two in Southland.

This has been shown by research both within New Zealand and overseas.

The tractor economy project will be used as a base for a continuing program to advise farmers on the best ways of using their tractors.

Further information from Mr Roger Young, New Zealand Agricultural Engineering Institute, Lincoln College, Canterbury 8150, New Zealand.