WHEAT YIELDS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1930, Page 7

WHEAT YIELDS

NORTH CANTERBURY FALLS. HEAVIIY.

CHRISTCHURCH, February 8

Reports from reliable sources from many parts of Canterbury show that the wheat yield this season will be considerably lower than last year, in some cases to the extent of well over ten bushels to the acre. Practically no threshing has been done yet, as the wet weather in January helped to delay an already late harvest. Reaping is being pushed forward now with all speed, and it will be a week or two yet before the first of the threshing returns are sent in.

VY ell-known wheatgrowers throughout Canterbury has bpen asked to collect information regarding the probable yields per acre in their districts, together witlf a comparison of the actual yields off the same farms last season. Though there are a number of returns yet to come in, those already in hand point to a much lower yield per acre, particularly in North Canterbury. This has been due mainly to the adnofmally wet season. Portions of autumn-sown crops were drowned out in the wet winter, and then the very dry spring seriously checked growth on the lighter lands. Crops on this class of land have improved out of all knowledge since the wet spell in January, which delayed tne harvest.

It is stated that what small amount of wheat has been threshed in North Canterbury includes some lines Yvliicfi were obviously threshed out of condition. The grain was soft when cut and sufficient time was not given for tne mose than usual amount of moisture to dry out of the stalk. The farmers concerned were doubtful of the condition of the wheat in the stook, it is stated, but they risked threshing When they did in order that they might not miss the mill, which was ready for tli'eir crop. Had they not taken the risk the mill might not have been available for them until after a few weeks’ time.