COCKSFOOT CROP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 February 1940, Page 3

COCKSFOOT CROP

SHORTAGE OF SEED PROBABLE. (By Talegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH February 20. Members of the Aharon Cocksfoot Seed Growers' Association and the North Canterbury Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants’ Association, held a conference recently to discuss this season's cocksfoot crop, and the conclusion was reached that there would be a definite shortage of seed this year in the two chief cocksfoot seed producing areas in the Dominion, Bank’s Peninsula and Ashburton county. The estimated crop, because of the dry autumn last year, is only about one-fifth of the 1939 crop. On Bank's Peninsula the estimated crop is 3000 sacks of farmers' dressed seed, against 10,900 sacks in 1939. The Ashburton crops are reported to show a similar decline and it is stated that the Southland crop is also very poor. There is a carry-over from last season but it seems certain that the seed available from all sources will be in- I adequate for the normal sowing de- ; mands in New-Zealand. The supplying 1 of the overseas demand. especially Australian, seems likely, therefore, to create a difficult position. Merchants report that there has been more inquiry for cocksfoot seed in the last few days, but otherwise the market is unchanged. Supplies of ryegrass are hard to obtain. many growers holding their crops for higher prices. 'The red clover crop is reported to be promising. A fairly large area appears to have been closed for seed and is looking well. Quotations to farmers are up to lOd. Other markets are unchanged.