GRAIN CROPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 9, 11 January 1940, Page 9

GRAIN CROPS.

REDUCED YIELDS.

RAIN BADLY NEEDED.

WINTER FEED PROBLEM.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TIMARU, this day. The long dry spell, broken only by occasional and inadequate falls of rain, will result in reduced grain yields throughout South Canterbury and will also give rise to acute winter feed problems later in the year. Wheat crops sown in the autumn appear to be coming 011 very well, but the yield from spring wheat will be poor with the grain pinched. Oat crops generally are also poor. With the harvest approaching, rain at this juncture would be too late to assist the earlier sown crops, but would be of some benefit to the later sowings. First year crops of ryegrass seed, particularly the certified brand, are thriving, although the seed will be on the light side, the same applying also to Italian ryegrass, of which many good crops are to be seen throughout the district. On the whole it appears that very little grass seed is being saved this year, other than that grown from certified seed, probably due to the shortage of feed as a result of the dry weather. White clover promises to be scarce in South Canterbury this season, but there are still prospects of good yields of red clover if a good fall of rain occurs in time. On the heavier land in particular there are some fine crops of Montgomery red clover. The recent fall of rain benefited considerably turnips and swedes, making the outlook for winter feed considerably brighter than it was a month ago. In contrast to last year farmers are

saving very little hay, with the exception of those farmers fortunate enough to have lucerne available. Another effect of the dry spell is the holding up of ploughing operations for green feed crops and the preparation of the land for next year's grain orops. One redeeming feature of the season is that potato crops throughout the district are looking remarkably well, although they would benefit considerably from an early rainfall. The season has not troubled those farmers at Redcliff and Levels, who have the benefit of irrigation. With a "fall of rain" on tap at any time, these areas have rich crops of grass and lucerne and the success of the swede crop is definite] v assured.