PASTURE, FEED AND CROPS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28222, 9 March 1957, Page 9

PASTURE, FEED AND CROPS

ARAWA WHEAT DOES WELL

INCIDENCE OF DRY WEATHER

Harvesting conditions for wheat have been very favourable this year. Mentioning this in a very comprehensive survey of crops in Canterbury and continguous districts the assistant field superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, Christchurch, Mr W. R. Lobb, in referring first of all to wheat, says that from Waimate come reports of extremely good yields from crops of the Arawa variety. Yields it would appear will be higher than ever before for this district. “This is the result of the excellent growing conditions,” adds Mr Lobb, “and the replacement of Cross 7 by the higher-yielding variety Arawa. Accordingly quality should be extremely good, with the exception of crops on heavy soils where lodging occurred. Arawa has shown a tendency to lodge on the heavier soil types under extremely growthy conditions, but yields should be good and harvesting difficulties not great.

“Timaru reports some damage from straw-break and army worm and many crops of Cross 7 affected by black mould with resultant pinched grain samples. Cross 7 has done poorly, Arawa has yielded particularly well on the good clay soils.” I Ashburton reports that in some I district Cross 7, even on good land, deteriorated because of footrot, and some very badly shrivelled samples have been seen. The conditions appear similar to that experienced in 1952/53, but not as severe. Much Interest in Arawa Farmers are showing much interest in Arawa, and there will be a big demand for this variety next season. There is also some inquiry for Hilgendorf, following the announcement of the increased premium. In the Christchurch district yields from Cross 7 have been disappointing, being about half of the expected yield. Samples have been thin with much pinched grain, dressing losses are generally high. Rangiora reports that yields and samples of arawa have been good. Cross 7 is also giving poor results in this district. ‘ Marlborough reports that crops have not finished as well as expected, and that yields now appear to be below average. Harvesting conditions have been ideal, and the average yield for the district is estimated to be 24 bushels an acre. Barley Yields Barley yields are variable this year. In Canterbury, early-sown crops have not yielded well. Late crops so far are yielding very well with good quality grain and well-filled samples. Waimate reports that the new variety, Carlsburg, is distinctly promising, with (yields of more than 90 bushels an I acre. Canterbury reports odd lines of barley containing a high percentage of skinned grain. Early crops have been disappointing, but later sown crops yielded well above average. Marlborough reports that some crops of barley on the lighter land have not finished well, but on the whole fairly heavy yields are being secured. Some threshing damage has been apparent. Army worm infestation was heavy, but early treatment with D.D.T. prevented any severe damage. The estimated average yield is 40 bushels an acre. Nelson reports very good crops with an average iof 50 bushels or more.

Spring crops of oats are expected to give good yields, with autumn-sown crops lighter tnan average. Grain samples are mainly good, but some very thin lines of grain are reported. Timaru reports oat yields below expectations. Both Mid and North Canterbury report quite good yields, but samples are on the thin ’ side, with very few lines making A grade. Marlborough reports yield below expectations, with an average of 22 bushels an acre. Other Crops As for linseed, Timaru crops look well. Mid-Canterbury reports that prospects are good. Timaru reports that harvesting of linen flax has commenced in the Geraldine factory area. Of the 700 acres, 230 have already been harvested, but delay has occurred on account of severe lodging. The bulk of the crop is “Rl,” but 25 acres of the new variety, “Weira,” appears to be very promising. Yields will be above normal if harvested in time. On lighter land yields of field peas are better than average, but on the heavier land somewhat variable due to collar rot and wilt, which has been severe in the Christchurch area. Hail damage has reduced yields considerably in the Kimberley-Hawkins district. Freezing peas were good in the case of those crops reaching maturity early. Later crops were light. In -Marlborough garden varieties of peas have yielded fairly well for seed production, but Prussian Blues have reduced yields due to collar rot. The majority of viner peas in the Nelson area have been harvested, and these have been quite good. Very dry weather has affected later crops. Rape seed crops have given variable yields but seed of excellent quality. Lower yields were the result of shaking in the windrow. Mid-Canterbury yields have been disappointing, the reasons being strong winds, hail, and dry rot. There was a lot of pinched seed in samples. From this area, chou moellier seed crops have been variable, but those directly intended for seed have yielded well. Samples are average to good. Ryegrass- and Clover The percentage of rejections of certified perennial ryegrass seed has been high because of contamination. but on the whole yields are up to expectation. Better yielding crops of white clover than was earlier expected are reported. Case-bearer damage, however, is prevalent in all districts and appears to be an in-

creasing problem for white clover seed crops. Contamination by suckling clover is high throughout all districts.

A limited acreage of the red clover closed for seed promises well, but areas on light land are suffering from lack of rain. Crops of cowgrass in the Nelson-Marl-borough area are showing promise. Early rape crops suffered very severely through lack of rain and insect infestation. Most encouraging results have been reported from the use of lupin-rape mixture. Sowing chop moellier and turnip for autumn and winter feed have been proceeding and most strikes have been good. Aphis, diamoned-backed moth, and white butterfly have caused some damage, and turnip crops now show possible danger of virus, infection. Chou moellier crops on the light land show extensive insect damage in North Canterbury in particular. Crops of fodder beet and mangolds have grown excellently during the late summer conditions following a wet spring. In some areas affected by the long dry spell boron deficiencies appear to be a possible serious problem. Winter feed prospects, however, are not serious owing to adequate supplies of hay.