MAIZE CROPS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20122, 16 December 1939, Page 16

MAIZE CROPS

INCREASING AREAS WARTIME SUPPLIES GISBORNE DIFFICULTIES HEAVY FREIGHT CHARGE A review of the arable crop position in war-time in New Zealand >s given in the Journal of Agriculture by Mr. A. T. Shannon, instructor in agriculture, Wellington, and in his referenci to the maize position he points to an effort to increase the areas under crop and to introduce early varieties into some new districts.

Maize for threshing is grown chiefly in the Poverty Bay and Bay of Plenty districts, with smaller acreages in North Auckland and Hawke’s Hay, it is stated. The total area averages approximately 7000 acres, and the yield recorded is about 350,000 bushels. A scheme of minimum price fixation has been adopted, and the price foi the 1939 crop has been on. the basis of 5s Gd f.o.b.s.i. Gisborne One of the difficulties in the marketing of maize is the cost of transport from the districts which produce a surplus to the consuming centres. For example, the cost from f.o.b. Gis borne to ex-wharf Auckland or Wellington is approximately Is per bushel. As a result, this grain has been considered too expensive for use in pig' production, and its sale has been, practically speaking, confined to the poultry industry. Imports Necessary

Importations of maize are necessary tn most seasons to supply the market during the late autumn and winter months, as local crops are not usually mature enough for shelling beforeJuly. The average Quantity importer during the past six years has been 90,000 bushels, but in one of those years a total of 250,000 bushels was imported. Local maize growers are protected by a duty of Is Gd per cental on maize imported from British countries, and 2s per cental on maize from foreign countries.

The extension of maize growing to supply -New Zealand requirements fully has been suggested, but it is felt unwise to encourage the breakingup of first-class permanent pasture in the maize-growing districts on any large scale. Experimental Work

The department has experimental work in progress with a view to testing out the possibilities of growing early-maturing types of maize in other districts, and it is possible that maize may be ripened successfully in such areas as fne Central Waikato.

In addition to the area sown in maize for threshing, approximately 7000 acres are grown each year for feeding-oif preen or for ensilage. For this purpose it is usual to sow one of the white-seeded varieties, and it is frequently necessary to import seed of this variety from Australia.