SMALL SEEDS INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25784, 21 April 1949, Page 6

SMALL SEEDS INDUSTRY

“N.Z. FAR AHEAD OF WORLD” CONFERENCE OF GROWERS AT TIMARU From. Our Own Reporter TIMARU. April 20. The Department of Agriculture's seed certification scheme was praised by Mr G. Gascoyne, of Worcester, a British importer of grasses and clovers, speaking at a conference of the New Zealand small seed growers at Timaru to-day. Mr Gascoyne said the scheme was a model for the rest of the world to follow. The use of New Zealand seeds was recommended by British farm advisory experts, and wa widely publicised in agricultural publications. New Zealand seed was held in the highest regard in the United Kingdom, he said. Fostering of Pastures Mr J. H. Claridge. seed certification officer and agronomist of the Department of Agriculture, said the real purpose of the seed industry in New Zealand was to foster N?w Zealand pastures, and to build up our animal production. not necessarily to export. He added that he did not underestimate the value of export markets. It was to this end that the Government had encouraged the raising of pedigree strains, and had developed the certification scheme. If some New Zealand seeds were suitable for overseas markets it was fortuitous and if there were no export markets there would still be a sizeable industry and demand for certification. he said. In developing new markets, he advocated a policy of longterm investigation and instruction in New Zealand methods of pasture management.

“In my very brief trip through Britain and America. I gained the impression that we had jumped very far ahead of the rest of the world in seed production” said Mr E. T. Beaven. “You are ahead. Stay ahead, and make sure the world knows it.” he said. Export Markets

For different seeds New Zealand exportation to the United Kingdom could be increased from two to 10 times, said Mr G. A. Holmes, until recently liaison officer in the United Kingdom for the New Zealand Department of Agriculture. There were still six to seven million acres of usable land in the United Kingdom in old permanent pasture (sweet vernal, brown top and fog), said Mr Holmes. As Britain could now import as much wheat as she required, and farmers were no longer compelled to grow certain quantities of wheat, they would be able to give more attention to pastures, he said. “We have got to be cautious when we say New Zealand’s seeds are the world’s best and will do best everywhere.” In Scotland he had seen Danish cocksfoot three weeks ahead of New Zealand Slants. In Denmark and Sweden, New ealand ryegrass would not stand up to the conditions. Mr Holmes said he did not think British farmers would ever produce sufficient seeds to meet their own demands. New Zealand growers would have to face lower prices in future, and accordingly had to improve their, technique of growing so as to obtain higher yields, he ar '.ed. There was a wide scope for New Zealand seeds in Australia, said Mr Claridge. Australia, after England, being the biggest importer of New Zealand seeds.

ADVISORY BOARD PROPOSED CONTROL OF SMALL SEEDS INDUSTRY From Our Own Reporter TIMARU, April 20. A South Canterbury proposal to establish a Dominion advisory board of small seed growers, which would fester the industry with funds from a levy on certified seeds, was discussed at a conference of New Zealand small seed growers at Timau to-day. On the motion of Mr C. Hilgendorf (Mid-Can-terbury), supported by Mr F. M. Henderson (Southland), it was decided that the proposals should be further considered at the annual conferences of the provincial agricultural sections of Federated Farmers throughout the country. The proposal, introduced by Mr F. J. Henshaw, was that the board should be established of seven members (one each from Southland, Otago. South Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, North Canterbury. Nelson - Marlborough. and the North Island).