RESEARCH STATIONS |
Serving the agricultural research needs
of Western North Carolina
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265 Test Farm Road
Waynesville, NC 28786-4016
PHONE: (828) 456-3943
FAX: (828) 452-3201
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Station Facts
The Mountain Research Station was established at Swannanoa in Buncombe County in 1908 and moved to its present 412 acre location in Haywood County in 1944 when the US Army selected the Swannanoa site for a hospital.
The various soil types and elevation topping 2,700 feet, are very representative of the region. Although the average yearly temperature is 55° Fahrenheit, this location offers extremes that range from -16°F to 98°F. Average annual rainfall is 46.61 inches and the growing season is approximately 160 days.
The research program at the Mountain Research Station reflects the diversity of agriculture in Western North Carolina. The station program strives to provide information to address these diverse needs in addition to needs identified in other areas of the state, as well as expand the economy by researching new enterprises. Research activities include work with field and forage crops, horticultural crops, Christmas trees, burley tobacco, and livestock, which includes beef cattle and goats. The station is also the home of a performance-tested bull program, and the site of a former 4-H camp facility which is now used day camps, meetings, and events.
Facilities on the station include three tobacco curing barns and an environmentally-controlled room for tobacco grading. Horticultural crop research facilities include a 30-ft. x 96-ft. greenhouse. The beef cattle program maintains a barn with 8,000-square feet of concrete and two trench silos with a holding capacity of 450 tons. s. Goat research is conducted in a 2,856-square foot building that contains pens, kidding pens, hay storage, feed storage, and office space. Two office buildings provide facilities for an area livestock specialist, regional agronomist, and research station staff.
Visitors are welcome at any time, however the peak growing period from April through October are usually more informative. Field Days are arranged according to new research developments and crop/livestock concerns.
Horticultural Crops
Horticultural crops research is an important part of the program for this station. Located in the center of the trellised tomato area, the station's program includes emphasis on breeding new varieties for increased production and disease resistance. Many of the most popular varieties grown in Western North Carolina and the Southeastern United States were developed at the Mountain Research Station. Other horticultural crops research includes leaf lettuce production and variety tests, slaw cabbage, heirloom tomatoes, and pumpkin variety trials.
The station participates in the NCDA&CS and NC State University-College of Agriculture & Life Sciences' Specialty Crops Program. In 2008, the studies facilitated at the station will include production and marketing of heirloom vegetables such as tomatoes.
Christmas Trees
Christmas tree research involving Fraser firs was initiated on the station in 1972 and has increased at a rapid rate. The Christmas tree program has progressed to the area of studying and developing genetically superior trees and seed sources. Field research includes fertilization studies; insect populations and control methods; effect of growth regulators; herbicide evaluation; progeny testing of White pine and Fraser fir; and various effect of ground covers; herbicide evaluation; and various management systems and cultural practices.
Burley Tobacco
Located where 80 percent of the State's burley tobacco is produced, the Mountain Research Station is the center for North Carolina burley tobacco research. Research involves all phases of burley production including plant bed management; fertility studies; breeding for disease resistance and early maturity; investigation of tobacco virus diseases; evaluation of blue mold control systems; evaluation of standard and new varieties for yield, quality, and disease resistance; evaluation of new chemicals for sucker control; no-till planting; weed control systems; and harvesting and curing methods. The first two burley tobacco varieties released in North Carolina, NC2 and BR129, as well as six other varieties, were bred and developed at the Mountain Research Station. The station also participates in the regional variety testing and sucker control programs. The station has increasingly become involved in research projects concerning production of tobacco transplants from flotation beds in greenhouses. Other research includes investigation of no-till, ground covers, minimum till, soil enrichment, utilization of compost materials, and alternative curing and mechanization systems for burley tobacco.
A beef cattle demonstration program designed to accommodate the needs of area beef cattle producers involves over 100 beef cattle under various feeding and management systems. Researchers test preconditioning systems for cattle and screen animal health products and programs. The station houses a bull test facility that can accommodate up to 60 bulls during a performance trial. The sale of bulls from this program has greatly improved the quality of cattle produced in Western North Carolina as well as across the state. The station's work with livestock also focuses on an intensive controlled-grazing program as well as other research involving forages, both for grazing and feed sources.
Goats
Goat research began in 1992. This program studies feeding and management systems, controlled grazing, and pasture renovation with the goal of developing superior stock for North Carolina's growing goat meat industry. A 2,856-square foot building facilitates the research program by providing goat pens, hay storage, foodl storage, and office space. Grazing trials are conducted on 42 acres of pastures and plots.
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