CEREAL CROP PROSPECTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3005, 16 February 1917, Page 8

CEREAL CROP PROSPECTS

THE OFFICIAL ESTIMATES. The following estimated average yields per acre of wheat and oats for the current season 1910-17 have been compiled from reports furnished by the AgriInspectors, of the Department of Agriculture . throughout the Dominion, and are published in the Gazette for general lnioriualion:— Wheat. Oats. . .Bushels Bushels District. per acre, per acre. Auckland 21.38 29.47 Hawke's Bay ....... 20.38 30.78 Tarauaki 22.20 32.59 Wellington 23.58 31.13 Nelson. 20.00 30.00 Marlborough 25.19 43.17 Canterbury 24.31 30.13 Otago 29.73 32.81 Southland 27.49 29.51 Average (estimated) for the Dominion, season 1910-17 25.15 30.88 average (actual) for the Dominion, sea- • son 1915-16 21.59 35.98 According to the abova estimates the total yield for the Dominion should be approximately as under, the figures for the previous season being given for comparison : Wheat. Oats. _ . Bushels. Bushels, estimate yields, 1910-17 5,400,000 5,600,000 Actual yields, 1915-16 7,108,360 7,653,208 The remarks of the Fields Inspectors as to the condition of the crops in the various districts may be briefly summarised as under. As a general rule crops throughout the Dominion are lighter than usual, but in fair condition. Auckland.—Very little grain is grown lor threshing in this, district. In the Waikato the caterpillar has done considerable damage to crops, and in some parts of the district rust is in evidence. Hawke's Bay.—Early sown croos have not done well owing to -wet weather in some parts of the district. Later sowings give fair prospects. The weather has been unfavourable for harvesting, and for this reason much of the grain will bo discoloured. Tnranaki.—Generally speaking, wheat l crops are fair. Oats also promised fair- ' y well, but considerable damage ha* been done by caterpillar. Wellington.—ln the majority of ca--es crops.have ripened early owing to hot, dry -weather In Eangitikei County crops particularly wheat, suffered considerably, through a heavy gale during Nelson and Marlborough.-Wheat crops uenerally are in fair condition, while I oats have yielded well. In Awatere bounty some excellent crops have been harvested. Canterbury—ln the northern portion if the district many crops which show a ?ood"growth -will givo 'a disappointing peld, owing to the dry -weather"causing the_ grain to ripen ibefore reaching maturity. Some very fine crops of oats have been- harvested, but in parts rust ind caterpillar have affected results. In- Sontli Canterbury -winter sown ivheat will in most cases' yield .well, rat spring sown -wheat is poor owing to he dry season that has been experienced. Dafc -crops "are-patchy; some will givo 'air returns, particularly those grown >n tlio higlier levels. In Geraldine and Ishburton- Counties'considerable damage vas done to crops by a heavy hailstorm luring January. Otago.—Early sown crops are mostly ;ood, while'some are excellent. Late own crops, particularly oats, are poor wing to the drought. In Waitaki bounty some crops suffered from rust, "n Taieri and Bruce Counties crops are ixpectcd to-yield well, good ; rains in lanuary having had a beneficial effect. Southland—The district has «xperi- i ;nced_ the driest season for. some years, ' md in consequence the yields will bo :onsiderably below the average.