Decrease Shown In Wheat Acreage

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31780, 10 September 1968, Page 16

Decrease Shown In Wheat Acreage

A survey of wheat already sown and intended to be sown, made by United Wheatgrowers (N.Z.), Ltd, has shown that the acreage in New Zealand this season could be almost 2 per cent down on last year. Making this announcement last evening, the chairman of United Wheatgrowers, Mr R. G. Rainey, said that the autumn and winter had been so unfavourable for sowing wheat that a bigger proportion of the crop than usual would

be spring-sown. The average yield could therefore, possibly be less, as spring-sown wheat did not yield as well unless there was a very favourable season. As quite a proportion of projected spring sowings bad still to be made, things depended on conditions remaining favourable for spring sowings—or else the acreage could be even less. Mr Rainey said that the survey had been made over 400 to 500 farms throughout New Zealand, and was usually a reliable guide. The survey showed, he said, that in the main wheatgrowing areas in North, Mid, and South Canterbury, acreages were slightly down. There were also slight reductions in Southland and the North Island. The biggest decrease was shown in Marlborough.