RAINFALL AND CROPS

Evening Star, Issue 18533, 16 January 1924, Page 2

RAINFALL AND CROPS

FARMING OUTLOOK. WHEAT YIELD LIGHT. [Per United Press Association.] ASHBURTON, January 15. A survey of tho farming outlook reveals tho fact that about a quarter of the wheat areas nestling near the Alps has received sufficient rainfall to promise an average yield, and the balance of the areas will probably yield half to threequarters oi tho v average. Calculation justifies the prediction that tho wheat harvest will total under half the requirements. In actual figures 3,000,000 bushels may be expected, leaving a vacancy for 4,000,000 from Australia. The oat crops are exceptionally light, both grain and chaff, so that in most cases full teams are not being employed for tho harvesting work. Probably a considerable quantity of Dun and Algerian seed will be required for immediate sowing for winter feed in place of tho grass killed by the drought. A still further demand for oats will eventuate if the present rains are insufficient to save the poor turnip and rape crops. An additional corollary is that largo resowings may be expected of Italian ryegrass, all affecting the market supplies. Lucerne recently bounded into popularity, and the present experience will hasten Its adoption. Several fields of from twenty to 100 acres near Ashburton are regarded as the forerunner of the now method of sheep pasturage, abollishing the temporary grass and eliminating the wheat. All live stock has suffered, lambs being marketed as stores, and daily yields falling heavily. The weather is now showery. [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, January 15. The long-hoped-for break in the weather was the principal subject of discussion today. Unfortunately the rain is too late to help tho oat crops to much extent, and there is also a fair amount of wheat cut. However, it will be of benefit to the later wheat crops, though it is inevitable that large areas of the heavier crops will ( be badly knocked about. Apart from the dislocation of the harvesting operations and tho damage that the preceding nor-’westers caused, the rain has been a life-saver to stockmen. , ■ The rape and turnip crops have rarely promised so badly at. this time of the year. Oats have fumed up over tho week-end, and up to 3s f.o.b.s.i., has been paid for A grade Gartons, equal to shout 3s 4d on trucks. Farmers are in no hurry to offer samples. Algerians are in the same position. Farmers will not ho tempted by 3s 9J on trucks, and are holding out for 4a and over. Chaff has jumped up in sympathy with oats. Sales at up to £7 12s sd, f.0.b.5.i., for forward delivery have occurred, or up to £5 15s on trucks. There has been good demand from the north. Tho potato crops vrill be very much benefited by to-day’s rain. The growth of the tubers was at a standstill. The cold weather accompanying the rain, moreover, is against the slight blight developing. The prospects up till tho weekend caused a firming tendency in the market, "and up to £5 10s, f.0.b.5.i., was quoted, equal_ to about £4 7s 6d on trucks. Cocksfoot being firmly gripped by growers, who are confident that they ore going to make up some of the leeway caused by last year’s prices. It is reported that lOcl per lb has been refused at the bays. Standard seed is still quoted, at Is per lb. A keen demand for ryegrass continues, and several sales at up to 5s od for farmers’ seed have been reported. Southland reports state that the wind has knocked tho crops about there, and the yield will bo lighter this year. Similar influences have affected the Canterbury yield. The pea crop was languishing under tho absence of ruin, and the yield over a wide area was not promising. The rain will do a lot of good to this crop, which covers a very much increased area this year. Fowl ufhoat is quoted at the very high price of Ss 8d to 5s od.