Prospects For Small Seeds

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28701, 26 September 1958, Page 15 (Supplement)

Prospects For Small Seeds

By

F. F. READING,

Chairman, Canterbury Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants Federation.

During the early post-war years, New Zealand was one of the largest exporters of seeds to world markets and enjoyed considerable buoyancy in this field. However, with the rehabilitation of wardamaged countries who have the climate and the desire to produce many varieties of seed the complexion has gradually changed. From the position of a principal seed supplier, on whom many countries relied, we have become merely a competitor in a highly competitive field. It is possible that a certain degree of complacency still exists among producers in feeling that because our seed has been required before, it will be required again.

Perhaps an indication of where the principal competition lies would be of interest. White clover is marketed by the United States and Denmark, lucerne by France and Italy, red clover by France, Canada, and Italy; ryegrass by the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark. Poland was a large exporter of white clover before World War II and is a competitor on our Continental markets.

Although the quality of our seeds ranks among the highest in the world, due to continual breeding improvement and our Certification scheme and, although overseas buyers will at times pay a premium for our seeds, if our prices are not somewhere near world parity we cannot hope to compete. So much depends on seasonal conditions in the growing country. Unfortunately the result is not seen until long after our own harvest and the tendency is foi overseas buyers to wait until a clearer picture is obtained.

Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the necessity of sowing high-quality seed. Some farmers at sowing time have no thoughts of ever harvesting but so often it happens that, when the time comes, seed is there for the taking. Bearing in mind that harvesting and dressing costs are the same whatever the quality of seed, an original sowing of firstgrade seed will produce a better and more lasting bulk of feed. It will also create a higher potential value in the event of subsequent harvest. On a farm where seed production is part of the annual farming programme, the quality of the seed sown and that harvested, is all important. The future prospects for our small seeds therefore must depend on these factors. Best Seed With plant breeding stations throughout the country and the continual improving of strains coupled with the requirements under our certification system, high-grade seed is available to the farmer.

Seeds will remain as an important part of our primary production and overseas exchange earner, but it is inevitable that there will be years of surpluses at low price levels and years also of shortages at high price levels, due entirely to circumstances beyond the control or vision _of any individual. , Broadly speaking, from . land suitable for seed production, a very remunerative return can be obtained as part of the year’s farming programme.