Scott Experimental Farm

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An experimental farm set up in 1911 under the Experimental Farm Station Act of June 2, 1886. Originally, there had been only one experimental farm for the whole of the North-West Territories (of which Saskatchewan was a part at this time); this station was at Indian Head. In order to cope with the large amount of immigrants into the newly created province of Saskatchewan, the Scott station was opened.

The mission of the Scott station was "to meet the needs of new settlers for reliable information on the best farming methods and practices for local conditions. Long-term studies with field crops, animal husbandry and horticulture were initiated" esask.uregina.ca/entry/agriculture_canada_research_stat... with a particular emphasis on the dry west-central area of the province.

"Initially, the research stations were an essential element of rural communities, providing practical information to improve the effectiveness of local agriculture. During the 1930s, a concerted effort against the blowing topsoil by the Indian Head Experimental Farm and the stations at Regina, Rosthern, Scott and Swift Current was effective in developing tillage methods that reduced soil erosion. The post-war years saw great changes with the introduction of selective chemicals to control insects, plant diseases and weeds. Programs were set up at all stations to advise farmers on the use of these new chemicals. Nutrition and management studies at Indian Head, Melfort and Scott have done much to improve livestock production in the province. Great efforts have been made to breed crops with increased yields which are early maturing and resistant to diseases, insect pests and drought." esask.uregina.ca/entry/agriculture_canada_research_stat...