SEED FOR STOCK FEED CROPS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 173, 18 April 1942, Page 8

SEED FOR STOCK FEED CROPS

N.Z. Producing Its Own ANNUAL VALUE ABOUT £lOO,OOO Before the war New Zealand imported practically all its seed for supplementary stock feed crops—turnip, swede, rape, mangel, choumoellier and thousand-headed kale —valued at about ;£ 100,000 annually ; this year, with overseas supplies cut off, it is expected that the' Dominion will be able to supply the whole of its own requirements, thanks to work initiated oil the outbreak of war by the fields division of the Department of Agriculture. In addition, many tons of rape seed have already been exported to Britain and inquiries for turnip and swede seed have been received from Australia. Supplementary feed crops are required for maintaining stock in winter and fattening young stock in summer. When war began Britain, formerly New Zealand’s source of seed supply, was faced with.a shortage herself and prohibited export. .The department, realizing tlie serious position in which farmers would be placed, immediately arranged with mercantile firms to begin production of considerable quantities of seed under departmental supervision. Farmers who used New Zealand Government-approved seed last sason have reported that it is completely satisfactory. Most important of tlie seeds are turnin and swede, of which 200 tons, valued at £60,000, were formerly imported. lii the late autumn of 1940 600 acres of surplus feed crops in Otago and Southland were harvested fof turnip and swede seed after they had beenthoroughly rogued to remove all foreign and off-type plants. Because the crops were not originally intended for seed production and in inany eases were in districts unsuitable for the purpose, Hie seed yield was lower than expected. Nevertheless, the quantity obtained, with the carry-over of imported supplies, was sufficient to meet farmers’ needs for 1941 sowings. In the autumn o£ 1941 the department arranged with the mercantile firm co-operating for the sowing of 1600 acres in Otago and Southland specifically for the production of turnip and swede seed. A good yield is being obtained in the harvest now proceeding, and, though it is too early to indicate total production, it is considered that there will be sufficient seed available for all farmeis in the coming spring. Plans for Reserve.

This autumn 2500 acres were sown for the production of turnip and swede seed. It is estimated that, with a normitr harvest, this area will provide sufficient for next year and give, in addition, another full year’s carry-over. Tlie seed produced under the departmnt’s supervision is sold to farmers through commercial organizations. Containers bear the seal of official approval. "This,” said thp department’s seed 'certification officer, Mr. J. H. Claridge, yesterday, “gives the farmer an assurance that the seed he is buying is true to name and of good type. There have been reports that some farmers who have used certain lines of New Zealand seed not produced under departmental supervision have had very disappointing results. It is to be regretted that seed of this nature should be placed on the market when New Zealand is developing an organization to supply its own seed of good quality.” Though turnip and swede seeds are the most important, rape, mangel, choumoellier and thousand-headed kale formerly accounted for imports valued at £35,000 to £40,000— rape alone for £20,000. All are now being localiv produced. The production of rape seed, in fact, was begun several vears before tlie war and was gradually increasing in face of overseas competition. The last harvest produced more Hinn 400 tons of certified seed. New Zealand’s annual requirement being 270 tons. In addition a considerable quantity of uncertified rape seed was produced. Two mercantile films in the South Canterbury district are co-operating in the production of rape Now being harvested also are 100 acres of mangel seed, most of it in South Canterbury ami a small quantity in Hawke’s Bay: 100 acres of choumoellier seed in Mid-Cauterbuiy , ami 50 acres of thousand-headed kale seed in Otago. These quantities plus some uncertified choumoellier seed, are expiated to meet the Dominion’s lull req u i rem el its.

MISSING FROM HOME

Hastings Boy Last Seen On Tuesday No trace Inis been found of a 15-year-old boy, Maurice John Kay. since lie lelt his home in Hastings on Tuesday evenin'. When hist seen he was riding a boys’ bicycle, 26111. frame, and wearing long dark grey trousers, grey shirt, brown pullover, and dark socks aim slides. He is of slim build. 511. bin. IngU, with fair hair ami complexion. An outstanding characteristic is that he has two white patches of hair on the bae» of his head. ... Vnvone having any information as to his whereabouts should . communicate with Hie police or with his parents at 501 A Willow Bark Road, or telephon. 3390. Hastings'.