Need Seen For Farmers To Find Wheat Storage

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30827, 12 August 1965, Page 19

Need Seen For Farmers To Find Wheat Storage

It seemed certain that farmers would have to make provision ' for the temporary stor- . age of wheat, said the chairman (Mr J. F. N. Twose), at a meeting yesterday of the agriculture section executive of North Canter bury Federated Farmers. Mr Twose was reporting on last month’s meeting, at which flourmillers met wheatgrowers. He said that while farmers were concerned at the way in which wheat was received at the mills, they had been told quite clearly that the mills could not take wheat any faster than they I had done last season. The meeting, said Mr Twose, had unanimously agreed that farmers would have to find storage. How they would do this had not been worked out. Farmers themselces might want to hold wheat for the price increment for later delivery. Mr A. L. Mulholland said that the malting company could show the flourmills a few lessons in the way to handle grain. “I think the flourmills have no desire to take wheat faster, or to spend money on more storage,” said Mr G. E. Rennie. To a suggestion that the ■ mills were “passing the buck” to growers, Mr Twose said it

was true that the mills would not spend more on storage. The mills were not wholly to blame, said Mr D. H. Butcher. They had to hold wheat while waiting for the test results. Farmers who wanted to go on heading would just have to find storage.

“The majority of farmers are helping themselves, but a minority won’t lift a finger,” said Mr Mulholland, mentioning one case where 1500 sacks of wheat had been left in a paddock so long that the sacks were rotted when they were picked up for trucking. The mills might be niggardly, but they could not be forced, said Mr Mulholland. “It will cost us money to provide storage, but we have no assurance from the Government that wheat will still be needed in two years’ time,” said Mr S. M. Wilson. “I wouldn’t make too much of this,” said Mr Rennie. “Farmers who store wheat are on a pretty good thing. If you are on overdraft, and hold Wheat and collect the increment, you are showing a profit.” The meeting approved a Hawarden-Waikari remit that brokers be asked to simplify and expedite payments to farmers for wheat. Speakers said that payment was made i anything from three weeks ' to three months after accept- ; ance of the grain.

Mr Twose said it had been reported that lucerne seed was being imported to offset the local price. It would be a help if farmers holding lucerne seed let him or the secretary Mr S. S. O. Berry) know.