N.Z. WHEAT CONSUMPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 2 September 1926, Page 4

N.Z. WHEAT CONSUMPTION.

; Official estimates too low. The "Journal of the Canterbury Agneultural and Pastoral Association," which has just been published, contains an interesting analysis of the wheat-gTow-ing position. The article, after referring to the causes of last, season's low yield, Continues: — "It is worth mentioning, in passing, that the consumption per capita of tht people is officially estimated at six bushels, and, as the population i» now over 1.400,000, this requires a yield ot 8,100,000 bushels. The past 10 years indicate that the annual rate of population increases averages about 2 per cent, or 28,000, representing increasing wheat needs each year of 160,000 to 170,000 bushels. By 1931, the year of the next census, the population may be estimated on recent movements at over 1,555,000, representing a gross wheat consumption of nearly 10,000,000 bushels. In add; tion, the poultry industry has grown very markedly since the estimate of six ibushels per head was arrived at, and the industry now asks for just as good wheat *s the miller. Year in and year out an average yield of 30 bushels to the acre may be taken as a fair estimate, and on ifcbis Basis the country requires, to meek the ensuing season's needs, an area of 283,000 acres, and in 1931 315,000 acres. These areas would appear to absorb ah our wheat-growing land, and the fact makes the risk of over-production less, jeal than is considered in some quarters."