Linseed and rape futures ‘good’

Press, 30 December 1988, Page 9

Linseed and rape futures ‘good’

Linseed and oil seed rape could have good futures as alternative crops in Canterbury, visitors to the Crops ’BB field days at Lincoln were told. An agronomist with MAFTech, Mr Kim Stevenson, said Canadians had shown a lot of interest in a sample of organic Redwood linseed. A firm order was placed but existing organic farmers were not able to grow significant quantities because of the drought. M.A.F. planted 7ha on its organic block at Winchmore in an effort to get one container into the Canadian market this season.

“Hopefully we will be able to build from this modest base,” he said. Although the initial interest was in organically grown linseed, there appeared to be a demand for linseed oil from crops grown without chemicals. This was different to having an entire farm de-

clared organic, said Mr Stevenson.

With’ “prohibitive” transport costs taken into account, farmers could expect returns of about $550 a tonne, excluding screening, bagging, and container costs, he said. “There may well be the potential for further processing in New Zealand, such as oil extraction, which would add value and reduce transport costs,” he said. Japan was the main market for oilseed rape, said the technical services manager of Farmlands Grain, Mr Bede McCloy. It imported 1.6 million tonnes last year with 1.5 million coming from Canada.

Mr McCloy said Shiralee had replaced Marnoo as the cultivar which would be accepted in Farmlands Grain’s pools. There was little difference in management requirements between the

two cultivars but Shiralee yielded a better quality oil and meal.

Mr McCloy was confident New Zealand would be able to improve its share of the Japanese market. Other new and alternative crops discussed at the field days included amaranth and buckwheat. Mr Stevenson said these had potential in specialist markets. Amaranth had a high protein content and a large amount of amino acids important for nutrition. The crop had been grown on a trial basis last year, but the area this year had been reduced because of problems with weeds and “off-type” contamination.

“There are still significant market opportunities which could be realised if these technical problems at the production level can be overcome,” he said.

Buckwheat was used to

provide a gluten-free flour for people with allergies to gluten. The market was limited to health food shops but was significant both nationally and internationally, Mr Stevenson said.

Both crops had been strongly associated with organic farming, but there could be potential to grow them on conventional farms, with minimum chemical use, and classify them as “conservation grade.” A consistently high quality product was needed from producers before effective marketing could take place.

The M.A.F. did not believe either crop would provide the single “answer” to problems of crop profitability facing arable farmers.

“There is no single wonder crop, but a series of crops that will suit some farmers and not others,” said Mr Stevenson.

A new variety had been introduced this season to allow more effective competition.