GRAIN, SEED AND PRODUCE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28268, 4 May 1957, Page 13

GRAIN, SEED AND PRODUCE

Excess Dirt In Potatoes

The new grades for potatoes, announced in March, will become effective on Monday. It is understood that a number of lines have already been examined in Christchurch to see how they measure up to the new grading system, and that excess earth in the sacks has been fairly prevalent. North Island orders for potatoes have been heavier this week and fairly large shipments should be recorded in the next fortnight. North Island stocks are not exhausted, but most are apparently of poor quality. Several Leeston crops dug this week have proved to be too wet for keeping, and some disappointing yields have been obtained in this area. Other growing areas near Christchurch have reported better yields—up to an estimated 14 to 15 tons to the acre in isolated cases. One authority said yesterday he expected the North Canterbury crop to be a good one, offsetting to some extent the large losses in South Canterbury. Wheat Price Last year’s announcement of the wheat price to growers for the ensuing season was made by the Minister of Industries and Commerce on April 12. No announcement has yet been made this year, although the authorities must be well aware of the need for an early announcement ff the price is expected to induce an increase in the wheat acreage. The delay in making the announcement is presumably because the decision on the price is still under consideration, lending support to rumours current for some time now that an increase was contemplated. If the aim of a price increase was to revive wheatgrowing in New Zealand the aim is unlikely to be realised in the coming season. Apart from the occasional farmer who has a paddock ready to sow barley, or some other crop, few farmers will be willing to change their plans at this stage of the year. The protagonists, of a higher price for wheat, among those who have a “say” in fixing the price, are likely to have this argument forcibly put to them by their opponents.

Exported Seeds Cheaper The average price of grass seeds exported last year was lOd per lb lower than in 1955. This is shown by a comparison of export figures taken from the Abstract of Statistics, which, unfortunately, does not give a more detailed breakdown of this category of exports. In spite of an increase from 2969 tons to 5514 tons, the value of exports of grass seed fell from £751,354 to £738,425, showing the average value of seed for the two seasons to have been 27d per lb and 17d respectively. Clover seeds exported rose from 999 tons to 1702 tons, and the value from £597,779 to £848,599. Average prices were 64d per lb in 1955 and 53d per lb last year. The average value of garden peas exported was unchanged at 9.3 d per lb. Last year’s exports of 15.6 m lb were valued at £605,696, compared with 14.7 m lb (£566,057) in 1955. December figures show a large increase in the quantity of grass seed exported—9l9 tons in 1956, compared with 365 tons in December, 1955.