Possibility Of Increase In Wheatgrowing Noted

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28451, 4 December 1957, Page 13

Possibility Of Increase In Wheatgrowing Noted

“In view of the present condition of the meat and dairy market and the steadying price for wool there is a definite swing to a contemplation of more wheatgrowmg,” said Mr C. T. A. Ward (a wheatgrowers* representative) during discussion on the desirability of producing a full information bulletin on wheatgrowing at a meeting of the Wheat Research Committee yesterday. The meeting. the third and last for the year, was held at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Crop Research Division at Lincoln. “If we are going to do anything about publicity this is the time to do it,” said Mr Ward. “There are a lot of young fellows who don’t Know too much about wheatgrowing and a properly-prepared book would be of great help.” The committee decided to recommend to the Department of Agriculture that such a bulletin should be produced in collaboration with the United Wheatgrowers and the Crop Research Division. Lack nf Interest “Al present there is not a great deal of interest in wheatgrowing but this does not lessen the desirability of doing something of this nature.” said Sir Walter Mulholland (wheatgrowers’ representative). Because of the rapid change in farming practice and the considerable developments on the scientific side, articles published on wheat from five to seven years ago were, today, not up to date. He realised the bulletin would not be a “best-seller” but the collation of all the information would be most valuable. To the suggestion that the bulletin should be given to those interested free of charge, Mr Ward said: “My experience of the farming community is that if you give them something for nothing they won’t read it.” Not Propaganda

Sir Walter Mulholland said that the main purpose of the bulletin should not be propaganda aimed at an increase ifi wheatgrowing

but a collection of knowledge. If it was regarded as propaganda it would confirm the present opinion of farmers that there was not much profit in wheat. There had been great changes in recent years in connexion with wheatgrowing and “even those of us who have been going longer than we care to remember can’t claim to know all about it.” The bulletin could well create new interest but its object should be to give information, said Sir Walter Mulholland. “We don’t want it put aside,” said the chairman. Mr R. J. Lyon < flourmillers). “Although we are getting another department to father it we feel something should be done as quickly as possible.”