History and Development

Grasslands Research Farm/Station was established in 1929 when Government bought three farms, which were consolidated into one farm in order to satisfy the growing demand for agricultural research in the high rainfall sandveld region.  The main research focus was on dairy, beef, sheep and pasture research and production. The remaining part was farmed commercially for demonstrations. The station’s main dam was built across the headwaters of the Hunyani River in 1954 and this made work with irrigated pastures possible.