COCKSFOOT SEED

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24768, 8 January 1946, Page 3

COCKSFOOT SEED

BANKS PENINSULA CROP Cocksfoot seed prospects for the present season were discussed by members of the Akaroa Cocksfoot Seed Growers’ Association on Friday at Duvauchelle. Mr S. J. Vogan presided in the absence of the chairman (Mr F. G. Armstrong). The general opinion was that the crops would be less than last season, though extra areas under seed- this season would increase the amount of seed produced. In regard to quality, the opinion was that it should be better than last year if the harvesting conditions were favourable. Last season heavy rains and wet weather resulted in a large proportion of the best quality seed being lost. It was reported that heavy southerly winds and later northerly winds had badly threshed the standing crops, and this had a harmful effect upon local seed production. The production of seed on Banks Peninsula last season was between 5000 and 6000 sacks. Members of the committee considered that because of the high ruling wages being paid for other work big wages would have to be paid by growers, and this would greatly increase the cost of production. Growers would therefore again require high prices for seed to compensate them. It was reported that reaping started soon after Christmas in paddocks of early seed in the Chorlton district and would commence in Okain’s Bay this week. General reaping of the peninsula harvest would not start until the middle of January, the season being later than last year. The crops this year are free oi 'tares, which claimed large areas last season, and also red clover. The cocksfoot seed is a good length and ; very free of extraneous grasses.