BENEFICIAL RAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26637, 6 December 1947, Page 3

BENEFICIAL RAIN

CEREAL CROPS'LOOK WELL SMALLER ACREAGE OF WHEAT AND OATS

The rain in the early part of the week did an immense amount of good to growing crops in Otago and in some districts the fall was much needed. Autumn sown crops of wheat, barley and oats are looking particularly well and give promise at this stage of good yields. The estimated areas under crop this year just compiled by the Department of Agriculture show a decrease in both wheat and oats, but a slight increase in barley sowings. As the yields for last year were particularly good, it would appear that the quantity of wheat and oats to be saved this year will be less than from the 1946-47 harvest. Deliveries from the country of all cereals are now practically finished for the year, and the stores are also bare of supplies. The increased prices for wheat and oats were announced too late to have an effect on the areas to be sown this year. Stocks of chaff are sufficient only for immediate requirements, and the market continues to be steady at recent rates. Old potatoes are now finished, and the market is being supplied largely with new potatoes from the auction markets. Crops generally are looking well at this stage, but it is much too early to give any indication of the probable yields. There has been a little more interest shown in most lines of seeds during the week as a result of the‘favourable retail traue and the fact that the crops concerned in sales made early in the year have now been delivered. White clover is a shade firmer, although the values are still low compared with those at the beginning of the season. Good testing lines of perennial, Italian, and HI ryegrasses all remain steady, and it would appear that there will be a fairly good clearance by the time the new crop is available. Montgomery red clover is still neglected to a large extent, and not much interest is being taken in browntop, crested dogstail, or Chewing’s fescue.