Clover seed prospects

Press, 21 February 1986, Page 20

Clover seed prospects

Canterbury arable farmers . despondent about the state of their white clover seed crops after the recent rain can take heart from the rising price of seed, according to an M.A.F. agronomist, Mr David Montgomery. He said many crops were too bulky with some seed sprouting and discolouration showing up and farmers were considering whether such crops were worth harvesting. “What appears to be a poor crop may still be worth going for with the price of seed over $3 a kilogram and prospects good for further price rises,” said Mr Montgomery. A crop with a reasonable amount of viable seed should be dessicated and harvested. The M.A.F. would be happy to give a second opinion if a farmer was in two minds. The chairman of the North Canterbury Agricultural Merchants Federation, Mr David Thomas, said the prospects for a firmer price 'or the 1986 harvest would depend on the level of overseas inquiry, bearing in mind the considerable carryover in store of 1985 seed, which was of good colour because of the good harvesting conditions at the time.