Wheat Season Reviewed At Conference

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28896, 16 May 1959, Page 15

Wheat Season Reviewed At Conference

The better prices paid to farmers for wheat and the remarkable increases in production of this crop m the province were the highlights of one of the most difficult seasons for north Canterbury farmers, because of the drought, said the chairman of the provincial agricultural section oi the North Canterbury provincial district of Federated Farmers (Mi R. G. Rainey) at the mnual conference of the section yesterday. In his report presented at the annual provincial agricultural section conference in Christchurch |Mr Rainey predicted a further large increase in wheat production in the coming season, with a further large saving in overseas exchange because of the lower amount of wheat to be imported. “The increased wheat harvest in the province in the recent season has saved the country more than. £1,500.000 in overseas exchange,’’ Mr Rainey said.

Farmers who could turn to some diversification in crops could

count themselves among the fortunate, the report said. “We have the climate to grow grain and in most seasons good crops can be grown. Even the crops in the recent growing season—the driest on record —were mostly very payable propositions.’’ High Quality Crop research scientists who had made great improvements in positive species had also produced new wheat varieties which this year had shown spectacular increases in yields. The quality of wheat, particularly Aotea, was also very high, said the report. "The handling of the last season's harvest has, tor the large part, been very satisfactory,” said Mr Rainey. Further meetings would have to be held, however, to overcome some troubles in handling, and in quality, and f.a.q. standards, before the next ?al harvest. “Few farmers will bfe interested in wheat increments this year because of the early season and the ability of stores to take in the wheat.’’ said Mr Rainey’s report.

“With a further increase in production again next year the position may be different, but the increments will at least cover the expense of storage.” Proposed Gin Industry Canterbury farmers would have to produce a further 200,000 bushels of barley annually if the proposed new gin industry was set up in New Zealand, said the report' The barley crop, being spring sown, fitted in well with farming practice in the province as the land could be used for grazing through most of the winter. Another crop which would be required in increased quantity was linseed, the report said. The oil-producing industry had expanded and several of the Agricultural Council members had arranged with manufacturers for an increase in linseed growing. Officers elected were:—

Chairman. Mr R. G. Rainey; vice-chairman. Mr S. M. Wilson; secretary-treasurer. Mr A. E. G. Lyttle; executive members: Messrs

S. M. Wilson (Amberley), L. N. Savage (Amuri), M. E. Kay (Eanks Peninsula), W. B. Cooper (Cheviot), J. Jamieson (CustWest Eyreton), A. L. Mulholland ‘Darfield), L. H. Johnson (Dunsandel). P. J. Abbot (Ellesmere). E. D. Hide (Fernside). D. H. Alexander (Halswell), J. F. N. Twose ‘Hawarden - Waikari), B. G. Thwaites (Hororata), G. A. Nutt (Motukarara), M. Harman 'Ohoka and districts), C. McCaskey (Omihi), N. W. Skurr (Oxford), A. T. Methercll (Sefton and districts), G. E. Wright ‘Sheffield). K. H. Boyle (Springston), M. St. J. Mackay (Tai Tapu and districts), R. Barnes (Waimairi), R. G. Rainey (Woodend and districts), L. J. Franks (Yaldhurst); delegates to provincial conference. Messrs Rainey, Wilson, F. Jarman, and R. Barnes; delegates to Dominion agriculture section council, Messrs Rainey, Wilson, and Nutt; delegates to Dominion agricultural section conference, Messrs Rainey, Wilson. Nutt, Jarman. L. H Johnson. and L. W. Savage.